The Best and Worst Movie Theatre Snacks

Going to the movies is a great American pastime. A few hours of escapist entertainment can be just the thing after the day to day stresses of life. Just because you're escaping your routine life for a few hours, that's no reason to escape from the healthy nutritional balance you try to achieve every day. Short of skipping the snack bar altogether (not necessarily a bad idea) what else can you do? Here are a few tips for navigating the mine field of movie theatre snack bars.

First, think small. Everything at the snack bar is going to be "large" or jumbo." Always opt for the smallest size offered. Don't let your eyes get bigger than your stomach. And, just because you bought it, don't feel obligated to finish it. Remember, if you're no longer actually hungry for something, it's wasted whether you eat it or throw it away.

Share the wealth. Portion out your smallest sized snack among yourself and your movie going companions. You probably wouldn't eat a three serving box of Junior Mints or an entire package of Strawberry Twizzlers by yourself at any other time. Don't do it now.

Butter on popcorn is a guaranteed artery clogger. Ask for yours plain, and remember what your mother taught you and share. Be careful of mindless munching here. If you're not careful you'll find yourself at the bottom of the bag before the movie is half over.

If your movie theatre goes beyond the basic popcorn and sugar-laden snacks and offers food items such as hotdogs, soft pretzels or nachos and cheese, go by the theory that less is more. Less condiments on that hotdog translates into more nutritional snack options. Added cheese, sauce or mayo are instant calorie and fat boosters to your meal. If you must add a condiment or two for flavor enhancement, choose the lower-fat options of relish or mustard.

Better yet, if you're actually hungry, plan on eating a balanced meal before you arrive at the theatre. A dinner consisting of a baked chicken breast, brown rice pilaf and a steamed vegetable will take away the real hunger and still allow you some room for pleasure snacking when you arrive at the theatre. By doing most of your eating before you arrive, you will save both nutritionally and financially.

A word of caution, if it's fried in grease before it's handed over to you, your best bet is to pass on those items altogether. Funnel cakes, French fries and cheese sticks have few redeeming nutritional values to recommend them.

When it comes to beverages, skip the sodas and choose water. If you're lucky your theatre may offer some of the flavor enhanced waters. You can have all of the pleasure of a flavored drink without the calories and sugar content of a soda.

Until the day when movie theatres rise up to the nutritional challenges of good eating, it will be necessary to police yourself. There aren't too many great snack choices at the movie theatre but, with a little attention to detail, you can minimize the damages.