Popcorn is a great low fat, whole grain snack to support your healthy lifestyle. And who doesn’t love to nosh on a big bowl of popcorn while watching a movie. But, depending on how you make your popcorn and the kernels you use, it could also be a source of toxin exposure. This article provides a variety of solutions for making non toxic popcorn.
No matter what type of method you use to make popcorn, the first step to making non toxic popcorn is use organic kernels. There are 15 different pesticide residues found on corn grown for popcorn.
Five of the pesticides are carcinogens, 9 are endocrine disruptors and 5 are neurotoxins. Malathion, a nerve poison found on 34% of corn, is an insecticide that affects not only your central nervous system, but your immune system, adrenal glands, liver and blood. Malathion exposure also causes mutations in humans and animals.
Organic popcorn kernels are not expensive and there are lots of options available. So theres no good reason to exposure yourself to multiple pesticide residues.
Go Old-School withStove-Top Poppers to Make Healthy Popcorn
There are a lot of great stove-top poppers available today that you can use to make healthy popcorn. You want to avoid any that are made entirely of aluminum or have any plastic components. Stick with stainless steel options to make your non toxic popcorn. The downside to stove-top poppers is you need to cook your popcorn with oil.
When I make stove top popcorn I skip the butter and spray it with extra virgin olive oil, then season with my favorite spice mixes, like black garlic powder. This combo ups the healthiness of non toxic popcorn by adding valuable polyphenols from EVOO and black garlic.
Making Non Toxic MicrowavePopcorn
If you love the convenience of microwave popcorn, you do have some non toxic popcorn options. The simplest method, and the one that I use often, is to put a 1/4 cup of popcorn in a brown paper lunch bag, fold the bag down several times and microwave for 2-4 minutes. It works great, and in case you’re wondering, the bag has never popped open when I make popcorn this way.
A second microwave option is to make your popcorn in a 2-3 quart tempered bowl covered with parchment paper secured by a rubber band. This method requires a tablespoon of oil and be sure to punch holes in the parchment for venting. You could also use a microwave venting lid in place of parchment if you can find one that is not made of plastic.
Glass microwave popcorn makers are also available. Catamount Glassware makes 1,2 and 2.5 quart options with silicone lids. For great microwave popcorn recipes check out theyummylife.com.
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FAQ
What is the healthiest way to make popcorn?
Is popcorn from a popcorn maker better than microwave?
Is it worth getting a popcorn maker?
Is popping your own popcorn healthier than microwave?
Is popcorn healthy?
Popcorn is a corn kernel that puffs up or pops when heated. It’s a favorite snack food and can be prepared in various ways. This low-calorie, high-fiber food is healthy but can quickly become unhealthy if doused in butter and salt. This article provides an overview of popcorn’s health benefits, its downsides, and how to make it healthy.
Is microwave popcorn good for health?
Popcorn is a healthy snacking item until butter and salts are added to it. Microwaving a popcorn is a good option as it does not require a fat source to cook. However, consuming food which is frequently processed in microwave oven, may increase the risk of radiation in the body. Thus, microwave processed foods should be consumed seldom – once a week.
Is bagged popcorn healthy?
Consumer Reports has tested bagged popcorn that contains only salt and oil as a fairly nutritional and healthy snack, and recently evaluated bagged buttered popcorn. A 2016 review of 45 studies linked eating whole grains (yes indeed, popcorn is just that) to a 22 percent reduction in cardiovascular disease.
Is air popped popcorn healthy?
Plain, air-popped popcorn is low in fat and calories. It’s also rich in fiber and antioxidants. Popcorn is smart for those looking to lose or maintain a healthy weight. Avoid adding too much butter, sugar, or salt to your popcorn. Healthier seasonings include olive oil, herbs, spices, nut butter, and nutritional yeast.