Healthy Movie Snacks: How to Eat Healthy at the Movies

Healthy movie snacks sounds like an oxymoron. Hot buttered popcorn, candy, soda and chips are hardly healthy snacks. However, not all is lost for those who are looking for some healthier alternatives to chow down on while watching the latest flick. Here is a look at some of the healthier snack alternatives offered at many popular movie theaters.

Skip the Popcorn

According to an article published in USA today a large popcorn can have 60 grams of fat and can have as many as 1,200 calories. Movie Theater, Cinemark, recently replaced the coconut oil that popcorn was once used with healthier canola oil. Many other movie theaters still use the very unhealthy coconut oil for their popcorn though. Even if you are eating popcorn made with canola oil, it is far from diet food. It is also easy to eat compulsively while caught up in a good flick. The healthiest choice is to skip movie theater popcorn altogether. If the theater allows (and some do), you may wish to bring your own healthier air popped popcorn from home. Some theaters offer healthier alternatives to popcorn such as packaged almonds and other nuts

Healthy Movie Snack Choices: Raw Vegetables and Smoothies

Some movie theaters like the Cinema Grill in Aurora, Colorado offer healthy snack alternatives. At the Cinema Grill, you can replace fatty popcorn and candy with raw vegetables and dip. Dieters should beware of ranch dressing though, as the fat content can be quite high. AMC Lowes Waterfront movie theater in Pittsburgh, PA provides moviegoers with the option of a full meal either before the film or while dining. One of the healthy options available at Lowes Theater is refreshing, low fat smoothies.

Choose Bottled Water over Soda

Soda is nothing more than empty calories. Many nutrition experts believe that diet sodas, while very low in calories, can help to wreck diets. The best alternative is bottled water, which is now available at most movie theaters.

Is it Wise to Dine at the Theater?

If you choose to enjoy your dinner at the theater, I advise eating before the show. If you are dieting, you are definitely better off to eat dinner at home or at a healthier restaurant. Many dinner options at the theater are high in fat and calories. Chicken tenders, fries, hotdogs are never healthy options. Some theaters (like AMC Lowes Waterfront) do provide diners with dining options like salads. If you do choose to dine at the theater eating dinner before the show stars is usually better as you will be more mindful of your food.

Sharing Snacks is Best

If you absolutely have to have candy or popcorn, order the smallest size and share with your companion. Smaller servings equal fewer calories. Never choose the largest size, unless you are ordering raw veggies sans the dip.

Sources:

www.yelp.com
www.usatoday.com