And You Thought the Movie was Horrifying

“A medium-sized popcorn and medium soda at the nation’s largest movie chain pack the nutritional equivalent of three Quarter Pounders topped with 12 pats of butter, according to a report released today by the advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest.”

–L.A. Times

To which I can add only, “Awesome.”

America, when it comes to food, you’re kinda messed-up. I should know… I’m one of millions of food-obsessing, calorie-counting, bacon-adoring goofballs who contributes more or less equally to purveyors of fitness equipment and makers of artisan cheeses. And after years of struggling, ultimately I’m good with that.

What makes me a little crazy, though, are those occasions — and there are lots of them — where perfectly good food is made bad by wanton disregard for the outcome. Like salmon (good for you!) poached in butter (bad for you!). A big pile of just-picked garden greens dosed liberally with Caesar salad dressing. A baked-potato smothered in sour cream. Or, for those who’ve given up altogether, the bacon explosion.

“It found that a Regal medium popcorn — 20 cups — contains 1,200 calories, 60 grams of saturated fat, and 980 milligrams of sodium. That’s without the buttery topping that can be drizzled — or poured — on the popcorn, which adds another 200 calories and 3 grams of saturated fat per 1.5 tablespoons.”

Air-popped popcorn has 31 calories per cup, no fat, 6 grams of carbs and 1 gram of good-for-you fiber. It’s also not worth eating as it tastes rather like dusty styrofoam. Fortunately, there’s a reasonable middle ground. (Thanks, Alton.)