Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn is a popular microwave popcorn brand known for its light, fluffy kernels popped to perfection. With so many flavors and varieties to choose from, it can be difficult to pinpoint just how many calories are in one bag of this tasty snack.
In this comprehensive guide, we will provide a detailed calorie breakdown of Orville Redenbacher popcorn to help you make informed dietary choices. We will analyze calorie counts across different serving sizes, flavors, and preparation methods. Whether you are watching your weight or just curious about the caloric content of your favorite popcorn brand, this guide has the answers you need.
Serving Sizes
The number of calories in Orville Redenbacher popcorn depends largely on the size of the bag or box. Here is an overview of calorie counts based on common package sizes:
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 1 oz (28g) bag | 110 |
| 3 oz bag | 330 |
| 5 oz bag | 550 |
| 10.5 oz tub | 1160 |
As you can see, calorie counts scale up significantly as serving sizes increase. The standard microwave popcorn bag size is around 3 ounces. At this serving, a regular Orville Redenbacher popcorn bag contains 330 calories.
Larger bags and tubs meant for sharing contain over 1000 calories. It’s important to be mindful of portion sizes, as popcorn is easy to overeat. Sticking to individual 3 oz bags is a good way to control calories.
Calories by Flavor
Orville Redenbacher offers both classic and gourmet flavors of microwave popcorn. Simple flavors like Original, Lightly Salted, and Butter tend to be lower in calories. Meanwhile, more decadent flavors like Kettle Corn, Cheddar Cheese, and Caramel contain extra calories from added sugars, oils, and toppings.
Here is a comparison of calorie counts across popular Orville Redenbacher popcorn varieties:
| Flavor | Calories (3 oz bag) |
|---|---|
| Original | 300 |
| Lightly Salted | 330 |
| Butter | 340 |
| Kettle Corn | 400 |
| Cheddar Cheese | 350 |
| Caramel | 360 |
As you can see, most flavors range between 300-400 calories per 3 oz bag. Simple seasonings like salt and butter add a negligible amount of calories. However, flavors like Kettle Corn call for sugar, brown sugar, and honey – increasing the calorie density significantly.
When opting for flavored varieties, be mindful of any extra oils, sugars or toppings that boost the calorie content beyond Original or Lightly Salted popcorn. Sticking to lighter flavors is a good strategy for limiting calories.
Air Popped vs Microwave Popcorn
The Orville Redenbacher popcorn you buy at the grocery store is designed for microwave preparation. However, you can also prepare Orville Redenbacher kernels using an air popper. This slashes calories by removing the need for oil and butter.
Here is a comparison between air popped and microwave popcorn:
| Preparation Method | Calories (3 cups popped) |
|---|---|
| Air Popped | 100 |
| Microwaved (Butter) | 340 |
As you can see, air popping reduces calories by around 70% compared to microwaved popcorn. By removing oil and butter, you eliminate a significant amount of fat and calories.
Air popped Orville Redenbacher popcorn contains just 100 calories per 3 cups. You can then customize the popcorn with lower calorie seasonings like garlic powder, chili powder or nutritional yeast.
So if you are looking to seriously cut calories, consider purchasing Orville Redenbacher popcorn kernels and preparing them in an air popper instead of the microwave.
Nutritional Profile
Now that we’ve covered calorie counts, let’s take a look at the full nutritional profile of Orville Redenbacher popcorn.
While calories give a general overview of energy content, the nutrient breakdown provides more detail:
Microwave Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount (3 oz bag) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 330 |
| Fat | 13g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 290mg |
| Carbohydrates | 44g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 0g |
| Protein | 3g |
For microwave popcorn, about 13g of fat comes from the oils used for cooking. Saturated fat and sodium levels are also elevated.
On the positive side, Orville Redenbacher is trans fat free. It also provides 3g of fiber per serving, which is more than many other popular snacks.
Air Popped Nutrition Facts
Here is the nutrition for a comparable serving of air popped Orville Redenbacher popcorn:
| Nutrient | Amount (3 cups) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 100 |
| Fat | 0.3g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 5mg |
| Carbohydrates | 21g |
| Fiber | 3.6g |
| Sugar | 0.2g |
| Protein | 3g |
Air popped removes almost all fat, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. Fiber remains high at 3.6g per serving.
This makes air popped Orville Redenbacher one of the healthiest popcorn options. It provides satisfying volume and crunch, while being low in calories, fat, and sodium.
Health Benefits
Now that we’ve covered the calorie and nutrient content of Orville Redenbacher popcorn, let’s explore some of the key health benefits this snack provides:
High in Fiber
All varieties of Orville Redenbacher popcorn deliver at least 3 grams of dietary fiber per serving. Fiber plays many important roles in health:
– Improves digestive health
– Lowers cholesterol
– Slows digestion to promote fullness
– Feeds gut bacteria
Most Americans only get around half the recommended daily fiber intake. Popcorn makes it easy to increase your fiber consumption.
Whole Grain Goodness
Popcorn is a 100% whole grain. The entire kernel is used during popping, providing the bran, germ, and endosperm.
Whole grains provide vitamins, minerals, protein, and antioxidants. Studies show that eating whole grains lowers your risk of:
– Heart disease
– Diabetes
– Certain cancers
Popcorn is an easy and delicious way to get more whole grains in your diet.
Naturally Gluten Free
Popcorn is naturally free of gluten, which makes it perfect for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
It provides the same satisfaction and crunch as snacks like chips or pretzels, without any negative effects for those avoiding gluten.
Plant-Based Protein
Popcorn provides around 3 grams of plant-based protein per serving.
For those following vegan or vegetarian diets, Orville Redenbacher can help boost your daily protein intake. Protein is essential for building muscle mass and repairs.
Low Glycemic Index
Despite being a grain, popcorn has a low glycemic index of about 55. This means it does not cause sharp spikes in blood sugar.
Popcorn is a diabetes-friendly alternative to refined carbs like chips, crackers, and Pretzels.
Downsides
While popcorn offers some nutritional upside, there are also some potential downsides to consider:
Easy to Overeat
One major pitfall of popcorn is how easy it is to overindulge. The light, crunchy texture encourages mindless eating straight from the bag.
Portion control can be difficult, especially when sharing large bags or tubs. Be mindful of serving sizes to keep calories in check.
May Contain Preservatives
Microwave popcorn often includes TBHQ and other preservatives to maintain freshness and extend shelf life.
Some people prefer to avoid these additives by choosing organic varieties or making their own popcorn.
Can Contain Lots of Sodium
Microwave popcorn packs in lots of flavor, but also lots of sodium in many cases. This is especially true for bold flavors like cheese, caramel or ranch.
Those limiting sodium intake may want to focus on Original or Lightly Salted varieties.
Risk of Burning
Popcorn straight from the microwave or air popper can reach temperatures high enough to burn your mouth.
It’s important to let freshly popped bags sit for 1-2 minutes before opening and eating. Always check for hot steam before taking your first bite.
How to Make Healthier Popcorn
Here are some tips for lightening up your popcorn and making it a healthier snack:
Choose Air Popped
Air popping removes almost all fat, sodium, and calories. Customize with herbs, spices, nutritional yeast, or a light drizzle of olive oil.
Avoid Butter Flavors
Butter, oil, and fat provide most of the calories in microwave popcorn. Opt for lighter seasonings like salt or no seasoning.
Control Portions
Stick to single serve bags instead of sharing mega-bags that encourage overeating.
Make Your Own Seasonings
DIY seasoning mixes let you control flavors and sodium content. Try garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, etc.
Sweeten Wisely
To add sweetness, use small amounts of cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla. Avoid heavy handed sugar.
Storing Popcorn
To maintain freshness and texture of your Orville Redenbacher popcorn, follow these storage tips:
Pantry Storage
Uncooked popcorn bags can be stored in a cool, dry pantry for 6-12 months. Check best by dates and seal bags tightly.
Fridge Storage
For maximum shelf life up to one year, store uncooked popcorn in a sealed bag in the refrigerator.
Freezer Storage
Popped popcorn can be stored in an airtight container or zip top bag in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Proper Disposal
Old, stale popcorn should be discarded in a sealed bag in the main garbage. Do not compost or feed to animals.
Cooking Tips
To pop perfect popcorn every time, follow these microwave and air popper tips:
Microwave to Perfection
– Cook only 1 bag at a time
– Lay bag flat, 1 inch apart
– Cook on high 2 1/2 to 3 minutes
– Stop when 2-3 seconds between pops
Air Popping Pointers
– Use 1/3 to 1/2 cup kernels per batch
– Shake popper gently to prevent burning
– Cook in batches for even popping
– Mist with olive oil, don’t pour directly
Serving Ideas
– Drizzle melted butter, olive oil, or coconut oil
– Sprinkle on chili powder, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, etc.
– Mist with olive oil spray and toss in salt and pepper
– Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar
FAQs
Still have questions about Orville Redenbacher popcorn nutrition? Here are answers to some common queries:
Is popcorn healthy?
Yes, plain air popped popcorn is very healthy. It provides fiber, nutrients, and whole grain goodness. Microwaved popcorn with lots of butter and salt is less healthy.
Is Orville Redenbacher non GMO?
Orville Redenbacher popcorn is not certified non-GMO. The popcorn kernels likely contain GMO material.
Does Orville Redenbacher contain diacetyl?
While many “butter” flavors used to contain diacetyl, Orville Redenbacher reformulated these flavors to remove diacetyl due to health concerns.
Is Orville Redenbacher gluten free?
Plain Orville Redenbacher popcorn is certified gluten-free to less than 5 PPM. Some flavored varieties may contain gluten.
Can you eat popcorn on keto diet?
Yes, plain popcorn without any sweet or starchy additives can fit into a keto diet in moderation. Focus on air popped or lightly salted microwave bags.
Can you eat popcorn on a diet?
Popcorn can be part of a reduced calorie diet in sensible portions. Stick to single serve bags. Air popped or light microwave popcorn are lowest in calories.
The Bottom Line
Orville Redenbacher popcorn makes for a tasty and nostalgic snack. Lightly salted varieties provide the most nutrition with the least amount of calories, fat, and sodium. For ultimate health benefits, air pop your own kernels at home.
Whatever preparation method you choose, practice portion control and mindful eating when enjoying this popular popcorn brand. Popcorn can be part of a balanced diet and adds fun crunch to your snack routine.
