Losing Weight at the Movies?

While going to the movie theater may not make you think of losing weight, it may in the near future. There is a trend in movie theaters these days to offer healthier snacks instead of the usual 400 to 1,200-calorie popcorn tubs. Americans love to eat while they watch movies, and the Milk Duds we down while we watch the latest Oscar-winning flick may soon be a thing of the past.

The Chief Executive of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Michael Lynton, presented information from a poll of movie goers at a recent convention that showed that quite a large proportion of movie-watchers would buy healthier snack options at the movies if they were offered.

Cinemark theaters uses non-hydrogenated canola oil to pop its popcorn, which is a small improvement over the traditional coconut oil used in most theaters. Some other options being offered by some cinemas are air-popped and unsalted popcorn and low-fat butter. Some healthier toppings are being offered, too, such as black pepper and garlic powder.

Though theaters offered air-popped popcorn back in 1994 as an alternative to the calorie-laden traditional popcorn, movie-goers made their voices loud and clear and demanded traditional popcorn back. Instead of cutting out the traditional movie fare, theaters should offer healthier snacks along with the nachos.

Some alternatives to traditional movie snacks could cut down on stress for those people who want to enjoy a movie, eat, but still lose weight. Fruit, veggies and dip, cheese and crackers and other such healthy options could be a hit with dieters. Movie theater managers aren't turning up their noses at the idea of healthier snacks. Theaters make most of their money from concessions, but if consumers want healthier options, they'll provide them.

The "LA Times" reports that Gold Class Cinemas (with a location in Pasadena, CA) has a menu that offers healthier options like lemon grilled chicken sate and mixed berries. Landmark theaters at Westside Pavilion in Los Angeles has salads and sugarless lattes. Some theaters have cafes attached to them which offer a wider range of food options besides just gummy bears and Dr. Pepper.

So while there is a growing clamor for healthier options for people watching their waistlines, arteries, and those trying to lose weight, it might be a while before theaters make it a regular practice to offer healthier fare for movie-goers. Don't stress about taming your munchies when you're next at the movies; just eat a good meal before you go, or opt for some gummy bears (which have no fat) if your local theater doesn't offer healthier options just yet.

Resources:

http://www.popeater.com/2010/03/17/healthy-food-movie-theater/

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/academy-award-winning-movie-snacks

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/28/entertainment/la-ca-movie-food28-2010mar28