While some people may think that popcorn is only for movie theaters, it can be enjoyed anywhere there’s an open container! You do not need to worry about little hands grabbing too much of the buttery goodness either; most butters are spreadable so kids under the age of 10 can enjoy some popcorn if they want to!
Some parents feel overwhelmed when their children ask for snacks or wanted food items. Luckily, we have compiled a list of foods your child must have in his or her diet! This article will help you determine what kind of snacks your kid needs by comparing them with the lists below.
How much popcorn is enough?
The average person eats about three to four bags per week, which is almost two pounds! That’s a lot of junk food that can add up quickly.
Most kids under five years old need at least one serving of popcorn every day to meet their nutritional needs. At this age, most children are still developing bones and muscles so they require more calcium than older children or adults.
For babies and toddlers, a good rule of thumb is to have one small handful (about 30 kernels) every few days. As your child grows, she may be able to eat slightly more, but never give her too many poppable snacks as she will probably overeat them.
As she gets closer to eating solid foods, try having some plain popcorn for dinner once a month instead of the movie style butter and salt you usually use.
Is popcorn healthy?
While most people associate popcorn with scary, burnt bits of charred corn that stick to your hands, some health experts consider it a healthier alternative to movie theater snacks like salted butter balls or salty cheese curls.
Many parents make an extra effort to pack lunch for their kids every day, so they can eat something nutritious while out-of-home. Luckily, kids’s age groups differ quite a bit in terms of nutrition requirements, making it easy to find foods that are appropriate during different times of the day.
For example, children over one year old need at least eight ounces (227 grams) of milk per meal, which is why many restaurants offer baby oatmeal as a menu option. One cup (85 grams) of plain cooked oats is enough serving size for a kid!
Kids two years and older require at least three ounces (28 g) of fruit per snack, so offering a few pieces of apple or carrot sticks is perfect. Even though they don’t match the required nutritional standards for both categories, we recommend including one food item from each group for any given child’s lunch.
You’re helping families by giving them more options, and this article will talk you through the differences between eating popcorn as an adult and as a kid.
Popcorn is bad for your teeth
While most kids enjoy popcorn as an occasional snack, it can be a problem if you eat too much of it. The thing about popcorn is that there are typically salt and sugar additions to make it more palatable.
However, both these additives contribute to worsening dental health. By limiting how many salty or sweet snacks children consume, we limit the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
It is never too early to start teaching your child about good oral hygiene- but starting at age six is ideal!
Dental caries, also known as cavities, occur when bacteria in your mouth feed on the exposed sugars in your diet. If left untreated, they will hurt your overall health by eating into your bones or even spreading infectionally.
Fortunately, pediatricians and dentists recommend frequent visits to the dentist to prevent this. Starting early helps ensure your kid’s teeth remain healthy and strong.
Popcorn is bad for your waistline
While many kids’ shows have snacks like popcorn, they are often gourmet toppings or in large enough quantities to be considered part of the show.
But when it comes down to it, most people don’t need that much popcorn to enjoy a movie.
In fact, one small handful (about 5 tablespoons) can add up to around 500 calories! That’s more than half a bag of plain microwave popcorn, which has about 200 calories per two-cup serving.
Many children’s programs also feature butter or cheese as an ingredient, both of which contribute additional calories to your child’s day.
Popcorn is bad for your heart
As mentioned before, popcorn contains high levels of butter or oil and/or sugar to make it taste good. Both of these components can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.
Butter is an important part of eating well and should not be avoided completely. But too much of this product could pose health problems for you.
Too much saturated fat (the kind that comes from meat, milk, and coconut products) can increase your blood cholesterol, which may lead to atherosclerosis — the buildup of plaque in the arteries that restricts blood flow and increases your risk of having a cardiovascular event such as a stroke or coronary artery disease.
Saturated fats also pack onto bile, which helps digestion process food. If you eat enough saturated fat, they may accumulate and stagnate, potentially harming your gut health.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting your intake of solid foods containing saturates to less than 10% of your daily calories.
Popcorn is bad for your lungs
Although most kids enjoy popcorn, it can actually do more harm to their health than good. The reason why is because of what butter or other oils in the popcorn are made of.
These oils are not healthy for your body and may even contribute towards inflammation. As we know, chronic inflammation is a leading cause of many diseases such as cancer.
When you eat foods that contain these oils, your body has to work harder to get rid of them. This could be particularly true if you’re eating too much popcorn.
It takes about two hours after popping popcorn for the oil to fully oxidize (or “burn out”). During this time, some of the oil molecules break down into components that are harmful to your overall health.
Some of these components include acrylonitrile, benzene, formaldehyde, and diacetyl, all of which have been linked to serious health effects.
However, since there are no regulations requiring people to declare how many chemicals they contain while making food, it is difficult to determine just how much exposure individuals receive.
Popcorn is bad for your stomach
Many people love popcorn, but it can be problematic if you eat too much of it. While some say that one to two handfuls are okay, most agree that three or more does not taste as good and could even cause digestive issues.
Many theories exist about why popcorn may be harmful to your health. Some say that the butter in the popcorn may contain chemicals that can increase inflammation in your body. Another theory is that the air used to poach the popped kernels contributes to an unhealthy amount of starch which gets absorbed into the gut. Either way, too many pieces can hurt you!
There are several things you can do to enjoy a small amount of popcorn without worrying too much. The first thing is to make sure your hands are clean before eating so that any leftover oils don’t get mixed in with the next batch. You also should try to avoid butter-covered popcorn, as they may be harder to swallow.
Another tip is to only watch a few minutes of movie footage after eating popcorn. This helps to reduce the exposure to light, which helps regulate your sleep schedule. Most people recommend watching TV right after eating because this keeps you awake for an hour or so, helping to promote wakefulness.
Popcorn is bad for your child
Although most kids love popcorn, it can be a tricky food to enjoy. It may contain butter or sugar that could contribute to overweight issues or disease if consumed in too large of quantities.
Most children are born with their taste buds set and will prefer foods that taste good to them. As they get older, experimenting with new tastes is fun and educating their palate is important.
Many hospitals have guidelines about how old an infant should be when allowed to eat finger-shaped snacks like plain rice or pasta shaped chips. The general rule is that babies under one year cannot handle textures and flavors so those things need to be removed.
For young children who are able to recognize veggies and fruits, letting them help themselves is a great way to promote health and nutrition. However, as parents know, just because you allow someone to do something doesn’t mean they will!
If your kid loves popcorn, let them! If they want some later, then by all means give them some but only a few kernels and no salt or butter.