Healthy & Flavorful Popcorn Toppings

If you’re looking for a healthy, low-calorie snack food, try giving popcorn a whirl. Popcorn is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth or salty-snack hunger. The all-too-familiar movie popcorn is entirely out of the question, as those buttery buckets are loaded with as many calories and as much fat as a three-course meal. Of course, you don’t need to settle on flavor for healthier options. We all know that plain popcorn can be dull and tasteless. There are many ways to flavor your favorite snack without packing on the pounds. Here are some of our favorite popcorn toppings:

• Spices and Herbs—Sprinkle dry spices on your popcorn to give it a boost of flavor. Create your own combination and prepackage in a container for future use. Experiment by tossing a handful of popcorn in your seasoning to see if you like it. Adding simple spices like cayenne, paprika and thyme give you enough flavor to be able to take it easy on the salt. If you’d like sweeter popcorn, try adding some ground cinnamon.
• Olive Oil—Adding just one tablespoon of butter to your popcorn adds an additional 100 calories and 12 grams of fat to your snack. If you’re still seeking a buttery consistency, drizzle on a quality olive oil. Olive oil is rich in taste and has high amounts of heart-healthy fats.
• Trail Mix—Mix up your popcorn by tossing in your favorite trail mix. Try choosing a trail mix that has healthier ingredients like dried fruit, seeds and nuts. A handful of popcorn will have some great flavors when mixed with your other treats.
• Citrus—Probably not as well-known as the other options, freshly squeezed citrus juice works great on popcorn. You can also add a small amount of citrus zest, or if you’re feeling adventurous, add in a few slices.