Popcorn is a popular and delicious snack food enjoyed by many. One popular brand of popcorn is Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn. Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn is a sweet and salty popcorn that many find hard to resist. However, many health-conscious snackers want to know: how many calories are in Orville kettle corn popcorn?
Calories in Popcorn
The number of calories in popcorn can vary greatly depending on the type of popcorn and how it is prepared. Plain air-popped popcorn without any oil or butter has only about 30 calories per cup. Microwave popcorn tends to be higher in calories because of the oil and/or butter that is added during preparation. The calories in movie theater popcorn are even higher due to being popped in oil and then topped with buttery flavoring.
So when looking at the calorie content of Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn, you have to take into account that it is already pre-popped and flavored. Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn gets its sweet flavor from sugar and its salty flavor from salt, which will add more calories than plain air-popped popcorn.
Nutrition Facts for Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn
To determine the calories and other nutrition information in Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn, we can look at the nutrition label on the packaging.
Here are the nutrition facts for a 1 oz (28g) serving of Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn:[1]
| Amount Per Serving |
|---|
| Calories 120 |
| Total Fat 4g |
| Saturated Fat 0.5g |
| Trans Fat 0g |
| Cholesterol 0mg |
| Sodium 180mg |
| Total Carbohydrate 21g |
| Dietary Fiber 3g |
| Total Sugars 13g |
| Includes 12g Added Sugars |
| Protein 3g |
As you can see, a 1 oz (28g) serving of Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn contains 120 calories. It also contains 4g of fat, 180mg of sodium, 21g of carbohydrates including 13g of sugar, and 3g of protein.
Calories in Different Serving Sizes
The nutrition information listed above is for a single 1 oz (28g) serving size. But most people don’t just eat 28g of popcorn at a time! Here are the calories and other key nutrition facts for some more common serving sizes of Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn:[1]
| Serving Size | Amount (g) | Calories | Carbs (g) | Sugar (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 30 | 160 | 28 | 18 |
| 1 bag (2.5 oz) | 71 | 400 | 71 | 45 |
| 1 bag (3.5 oz) | 99 | 560 | 99 | 63 |
As this table shows, the calories and other nutrients increase with the serving size:
– 1 cup (30g) Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn has 160 calories, 28g carbs, and 18g sugar
– A typical 2.5 oz bag has 400 calories, 71g carbs, and 45g sugar
– A larger 3.5 oz bag has 560 calories, 99g carbs, and 63g sugar
So the more Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn you eat in one sitting, the more calories and carbohydrates you will consume.
Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn Calorie Count Per Bag
Since Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn is most commonly eaten by the bag, it can be helpful to know the calorie counts for the full bags:
– 2.5 oz bag: 400 calories
– 3.5 oz bag: 560 calories
– 5 oz bag: 800 calories
– 10 oz bag: 1600 calories
As you can see, the calorie count quickly adds up as the bag size increases! The typical serving size ranges from about 400 calories per bag for smaller 2.5 oz bags to 560 calories for larger 3.5 oz bags. But some extra large “share size” bags can contain 800-1600 calories.
Low Calorie Popcorn Options
If you are looking for lower calorie popcorn options, here are some ways to lighten up your popcorn snack:
– Pop your own popcorn on the stove or with an air popper using just a small amount of oil or butter.
– Look for light microwave popcorn with about 100 calories per bag.
– Try flavored popcorn seasonings rather than butter or oil.
– Choose smaller 1-2 serving size bags.
– Portion into a bowl rather than eating from the full bag.
You can also make your own lower calorie kettle corn by popping popcorn and tossing it with a light sugar glaze made from a small amount of sugar dissolved in water.
Factors Affecting Calories per Bag
There are a few factors that can affect the number of calories in a bag of Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn:
Serving Size
As mentioned above, the serving size listed on the package greatly impacts the total calories per bag. Larger family or share size bags contain more servings and thus more calories.
Extra Butter Flavorings
Some varieties of Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn are marketed as “extra butter” flavors. These tend to be higher in calories than the original or lightly salted flavors. The extra butter provides additional fat and calories.
Add-Ons
Orville Redenbacher’s also makes add-on popcorn toppings and seasonings that you shake onto your popcorn. Options like white cheddar or caramel flavored drizzles will add extra calories compared to eating plain kettle corn. Check labels for calorie information on any add-ons you use.
Cooking Method
The way the popcorn is cooked can also impact the calories. If cooked in oil, the oil adds fat and calories. Air popped has the fewest calories. The kettle corn cooking method adds a bit more calories than air popping due to the sugar coating.
Tips for Lightening Up Your Kettle Corn
Here are some tips for enjoying Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn while limiting the calorie intake:
– Stick to smaller single serving size bags.
– Read labels and be aware of calorie counts for different flavors and add-ons.
– Portion into bowls rather than eating straight from the bag.
– Top with spices instead of buttery flavors.
– Combine with lower calorie foods like fruits and vegetables to make a balanced snack.
– Drink water with your snack to help fill up.
– Treat kettle corn as an occasional snack rather than an everyday food.
Nutritional Benefits of Popcorn
Despite the calories, popcorn can actually be a healthy snack when prepared properly and eaten in moderation. Here are some of the nutritional benefits of popcorn:
Whole Grain
Popcorn kernels are a whole grain. Whole grains provide more nutritional value compared to refined grains because they contain all parts of the grain kernel.
Fiber
Popcorn is high in fiber, with about 3g per standard 1 oz serving. Fiber helps with digestion and may help lower cholesterol.
Polyphenols
Polyphenols are plant compounds that act as antioxidants in the body to help reduce inflammation and cellular damage. Popcorn contains certain polyphenols not found in many other foods.
Low in Fat
Air popped popcorn is very low in fat, especially compared to other common snacks like chips or cookies. Moderate amounts of popcorn can be part of a low fat diet.
So while kettle corn is higher in calories and sugar than air popped popcorn, it can still be a better snack option than many other high fat, high calorie processed snack foods when eaten in moderation.
Making Your Own Low Calorie Kettle Corn
To lighten up kettle corn while keeping the sweet and salty flavor, try making your own lower calorie version at home.
Here is a healthy kettle corn recipe:
Ingredients
– 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
– 1 teaspoon oil
– 1 tablespoon sugar
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Heat oil over medium high heat in a heavy bottomed pot with a lid. Add several popcorn kernels to the pot and cover.
2. When the test kernels pop, remove them from the pot and add the remaining 1/3 cup kernels in an even layer. Cover again.
3. Shake the pot gently over the heat as the popcorn pops to prevent burning. Remove from heat when popping slows to several seconds between pops.
4. Transfer popped popcorn to a large paper bag. Add sugar and salt and fold over top of bag to close. Shake bag gently to distribute seasoning evenly over popcorn.
This easy homemade kettle corn recipe provides the sweet and salty flavor with a fraction of the calories of store bought versions. You control how much oil and sugar goes on the popcorn. Feel free to adjust to your taste and dietary needs!
Conclusion
Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn is a tasty popcorn snack, but can pack in the calories, carbs, and sugar quickly, especially when eating large serving sizes. A 1 oz serving (about 1 cup popped) provides around 160 calories. A typical 2.5-3.5 oz bag contains 400-560 calories.
To lighten up this snack, pay attention to serving sizes, choose lighter seasoning options, and feel free to make your own lower calorie kettle corn at home. While popcorn is high in calories per cup, it can be a nutritious whole grain snack when portions are controlled. Armed with the nutrition information provided here, you can still enjoy Orville Redenbacher’s Kettle Corn as part of an overall healthy diet.
