Recommendation Service
- TOP
- Food and drinks
- Snacks and candies
- 5 Best Bagged Healthy Popcorns in 2023 (Nutritionist-Reviewed)
5 Best Bagged Healthy Popcorns in 2023 (Nutritionist-Reviewed)
In our research, we found that the best popcorns contain only whole foods ingredients, have limited fat and sodium, and may be organic or gluten-free. Both pre-popped and microwave popcorns can be equally healthy. With these things in mind, we handpicked our favorite healthy popcorns available online and prepared a handy buying guide with the help of nutritionist Kara Swanson.
Kara Swanson is a certified nutritionist and the founder of Life Well Lived. She is married to her best friend and the proud mother of three. Her passion is to make nutrition simple+easy+delicious!
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
- 5 Best Healthy Bagged Popcorns
- No. 1: LesserEvil | Organic Popcorn | Himalayan Pink Salt, 12 pack
- No. 2: G.H. Cretors | Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Popcorn | 12 pack
- No. 3: Pop Zero | Cinnamon Toast Healthy Popcorn | 9 pack
- No. 4: SkinnyPop | Original Popcorn | 4.4 oz
- No. 5: Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP | White Cheddar Popcorn
- More Tips from Kara Swanson
- An Easy, Delicious, and Healthy Chocolate and PB Popcorn Recipe
- More Healthy Snacks to Keep You Satisfied
- Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist Kara Swanson
How to Choose a Healthy Popcorn – Buying Guide
① Look for Popcorn With Simple, Whole Food Ingredients
Popcorn - even packaged popcorn - should be little more than corn, salt, oil, and maybe some spices or cheese as seasoning. If you want the healthiest popcorn, avoid products with additional ingredients like artificial flavors or dyes.
You can also start with a plain, air-popped popcorn that just contains corn and maybe salt, and then you can add your own flavorings! It's more work, but it can turn into a fun activity.
You may even want to pay attention to the kind of oil used. Generally speaking, the most healthful oils you might find include olive, coconut, and sunflower oil. Sunflower oil in particular is rich in the essential vitamin E.
Some oils that you may want to avoid due to the generally high level of processing that they go through include canola, vegetable (or soy), corn, and grapeseed oil.
Simple is always best. We often confuse what nutrition is, but when it comes down to it, simple and few ingredients are the way to go. Paying attention to ingredients is really important so make sure you grab popcorn that has few ingredients and ones you actually know like corn, salt, and oil.
② Be Careful of Fat, Sugar, and Salt Content
In particular, it’s important to keep an eye on the fat and salt content. Generally speaking, you want to keep it under five grams of fat and 100 milligrams of sodium per two-cup serving. This will leave you plenty of wiggle room in terms of the rest of your meals for the day.
When it comes to flavored popcorn, especially sweet varieties, you should also pay attention to the sugar content. Less than six grams is ideal since that would be a quarter of your recommended daily intake of added sugar of 25 grams or less. And of course, always remember to check nutrition labels against serving size!
Popcorn is actually really healthy because it's got fiber and is low in calories. Three cups of popcorn has four grams of fiber and only 100 calories. But that doesn't automatically mean all popcorn is healthy. Be careful and pay attention to added fat and sugar.
5 Best Healthy Bagged Popcorns
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | LesserEvil Organic Popcorn | | Three Simple Ingredients for a Healthy Snack | |
2 | G.H. Cretors Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Popcorn | | Heart-Healthy Olive Oil and Sea Salt for Great Taste | |
3 | Pop Zero Cinnamon Toast Healthy Popcorn | | Sweet but Healthy Popcorn to Satisfy Cravings | |
4 | SkinnyPop Original Popcorn | | Low on Calories, Sodium, Sugar, and More | |
5 | Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP White Cheddar Popcorn | | Cheese Popcorn That You Can Enjoy Healthily |
LesserEvilOrganic Popcorn ｜ Himalayan Pink Salt, 12 pack
Three Simple Ingredients for a Healthy Snack
Reviewers love the light, not overwhelmingly salty flavor and appreciate that it comes in single servings as it makes for easy portion control. It's also available in seven other flavors!
G.H. CretorsOrganic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Popcorn ｜ 12 pack
Heart-Healthy Olive Oil and Sea Salt for Great Taste
Reviewers love its decadent flavor and note that it’s much lighter on your stomach than oil-laden alternatives. Even those who don’t like healthy or organic foods think this tastes like a junk food treat.
Pop ZeroCinnamon Toast Healthy Popcorn ｜ 9 pack
Sweet but Healthy Popcorn to Satisfy Cravings
Reviewers note that it tastes much better than its low sugar and calorie count would have you believe. It has a mild cinnamon flavor and just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy your sweet tooth without being overwhelming.
SkinnyPopOriginal Popcorn ｜ 4.4 oz
Low on Calories, Sodium, Sugar, and More
Reviewers write that this popcorn makes for easy snacking and that a single serving is quite filling. Many reviewers also like this brand’s white cheddar flavor.
Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOPWhite Cheddar Popcorn
Cheese Popcorn That You Can Enjoy Healthily
If you've heard of healthy popcorn, you've probably heard of BOOMCHICKAPOP. It comes in a plethora of different flavors, but we think the white cheddar flavor is most likely to keep you snacking happily. It's made in the USA with all-natural ingredients, and it doesn't have a ton of calories, either!
Some wish there was a bit more of a punch of white cheddar flavor, and one reviewer thought there were too many hulls. But overall, many liked it so much that they caution against telling others in the house that you bought it; otherwise, you probably won't get a chance to eat any yourself!
More Tips from Kara Swanson
Now that you've gotten the basic information about how to choose a healthy popcorn down, expert Kara Swanson has a few more tips to add into the mix about making your own popcorn and flavoring it in a healthy way.
I highly recommend making your own popcorn! We love air popping our own and adding a little coconut oil or vegan butter. Or if you don't have an air popper you can make it on the stove. This way you also have control over how much salt you add. I've even come to love popcorn without added salt in my attempt to cut down on sodium.
If you love cheesy popcorn, try adding nutritional yeast to your popcorn. This works best if you make your own popcorn so the nutritional yeast sticks to the popped kernels better. Nutritional yeast has a cheesy flavor and is very nutritious and high in B Vitamins.
An Easy, Delicious, and Healthy Chocolate and PB Popcorn Recipe
Peanut butter cups are an amazing sweet treat that is hard to keep away from! However, it can be high in calories and fat. Instead of pigging out on the candies, why not try this healthier, popcorn-inspired alternative? Kara Swanson's prepared an amazing, healthified recipe. You can find the exact same recipe on her site, here.
*Please note that the picture provided is not of the completed recipe.
Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup Hy-Vee white popcorn kernels
- ¼ cup Hy-Vee honey
- ¼ cup Hy-Vee coconut sugar
- ¾ cup Hy-Vee peanut butter (no oils or sugar added)
- 6 oz Hy-Vee dark chocolate
- 6 Unreal Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, chopped
Directions:
In an air popper, air pop the popcorn kernels. If you can have an air popper, you can make the popcorn on the stove with a little bit of oil.
In a small saucepan, combine honey and coconut sugar. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add the peanut butter. Stir until combined.
In a large bowl, pour peanut butter mixture over popcorn. Gently toss with a wooden spoon until popcorn is coated. Spread popcorn on a sheet of parchment paper. Drizzle popcorn with melted chocolate.
Cool completely and stir in the chopped peanut butter cups.
More Healthy Snacks to Keep You Satisfied
If you want something else to munch on with your popcorn, consider one of these options!
Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist Kara Swanson
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
Top 5 Healthy Popcorns
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
Popular articles
- 9 Best Healthy Chips in 2023 (Nutritionist-Reviewed)Healthy ChipsWhen it comes to snacking, nothing beats the crunch of a chip. But most conventional chips leave much to be desired in terms of health. That’s why we’ve decided to figure out what makes a great healthy chip. While researching, we found that the best chips are made from whole foods ingredients aside from white potatoes, have a good balance of macronutrients, and cater to your dietary restrictions. Keeping these things in mind, we’ve put together a list of our favorite healthy chips available online. Our top pick is Terra's Original Chips with Sea Salt. They're made from real root vegetables and contain no artificial flavors or preservatives. If you want more options, keep reading! We've also compiled a buying guide with tips from a certified nutritionist to help you choose healthier chips.
- 10 Best Gluten-Free Chips in 2023 (Dietitian-Reviewed)Gluten-Free ChipsMany chips are made with gluten ingredients such as wheat flour and wheat derivatives. If you have celiac disease or are sensitive to gluten, there are still many gluten-free options for you to snack on when you're struck with a craving. Nowadays, a lot of potato chips, tortilla chips, or vegetable chips are made without gluten ingredients! But given the plethora of chips available online, how do you know which ones actually taste good? To help you with your search, we've narrowed down the 10 best gluten-free chips available online. Kettle's Backyard Barbeque Potato Chips were our top pick. These certified gluten-free chips are made without artificial preservatives and have a great barbecue flavor. Keep reading our list of favorites for more options! You can also check out our buying guide for some tips that will help you pick out some delicious gluten-free chips.
- 20 Best Tried and True Japanese Rice Crackers in 2023 (Kameda Seika, Echigo Seika, 7 Eleven, and More)Japanese Rice CrackersOur editors searched Japanese e-commerce sites (such as Rakuten, Amazon, and Yahoo! Shopping) for the best senbei, or rice crackers. We then chose the 20 most popular products and tested them all.We tested for the following:DeliciousnessWe focused on three things: how rich their flavor was, how strong their fragrance was, and how hard they were in terms of texture. Our combined impressions averaged out to a final score of deliciousness. We then compiled everything we learned into a buying guide about and a list of the best Japanese rice crackers.
- 10 Best Healthy Trail Mixes in 2023 (Registered Dietitian-Reviewed)Healthy Trail MixesLooking for suggestions on how to choose a healthy trail mix that will actually taste good? If so, you've come to the right place! Some people buy trail mixes because they think these snacks are healthier, but many actually are not. It can take a little work to find a trail mix that's satisfying, tasty, and good for you. We searched the net for the best healthy trail mixes, and the Heart Healthy Blend from Orchard Valley Harvest is our favorite. These packs are delicious, contain healthy ingredients, and come in single-serve pouches. Check out the rest of our 10 favorites for more healthy trail mixes! If you want to know how to choose a healthy trail mix that will taste great and suit your diet, don't miss our buying guide below, reviewed by a registered dietitian.
- 10 Best Pudding Mixes in 2023 (Chef-Reviewed)Pudding MixIf you're in the mood for dessert but don't want something that's difficult to make, pudding is your best bet! There are a ton of flavors to choose from, from classic vanilla and chocolate to tangy key lime and lemon. Plus, the wide variety of options means you can find a pudding for every diet, whether you're vegan or watching your sugar intake.Among all the popular pudding mixes on the market, Jell-O's Sugar-Free Instant Pudding Sampler is our favorite. This sampler has nine distinct flavors for you to enjoy, and all of them are crafted without any sugar. If you're curious about other pudding mixes on our 10 best instant pudding mixes list, keep reading! Also, for more information, check out our buying guide reviewed by a professional chef.
- 10 Best Low-FODMAP Snacks in 2023 (Registered Dietitian-Reviewed)Low-Fodmap SnacksNo matter what diet you follow, it's always a good idea to have snacks on hand for when those sweet or salty cravings hit. But anyone who follows a low-FODMAP diet knows that popular go-to's, like crackers, pretzels, and candy, should be limited. If you're already hungry, it can be hard to resist grabbing whatever's handy. To prepare, stock your pantry with our low-FODMAP favorites so you can snack away without any negative side effects.GoMacro's Macrobars, for the most part, are low-FODMAP certified and come in a variety of flavors. The banana almond butter flavor tastes like banana bread, but without any wheat to bother your digestive system! We have nine more delicious sweet and savory options below. And for more information on how to pick low-FODMAP snacks you will love, check out our comprehensive buying guide reviewed by a registered dietitian after the list.
- 10 Best Japanese Chocolates in 2023 (Glico, Meiji, and More!)Japanese ChocolatesIf you’ve got a sweet tooth, Japanese chocolate is a great choice for satisfying your cravings. Chocolate companies in Japan focus on the rich texture and flavors of their products. Plus, you can find region-specific and seasonal flavors if you want to try something new!If you're unfamiliar with the world of Japanese chocolate, we're here to help. There are a ton of products and brands, like Royce', Pocky, Meiji, and even Kit-Kats exclusive to Japan, it can be overwhelming to know what to look for. We’ve done the research and worked with our Japanese team to select the 10 best Japanese chocolates available online. Our favorite was Meiji's Milk Chocolate Bar. Check out our best 10 picks, and don’t forget to read our buying guide for tips on how to choose the best Japanese chocolate for your tastes.
- 10 Best Peanut Brittles in 2023 (See's Candies, Jackie's Chocolate, and More)Peanut BrittlesAre you a peanut lover who also likes hard candy? Peanut brittles combine your affinity for nuts and sugar into one. These candies are a popular holiday treat, but you can enjoy them anytime! If peanut brittles are something you've never tried before, you're in for a treat with our top 10 list curated after careful research by staff at mybest. We chose See's Candies Peanut Brittle as our number one pick. Its classic recipe and high remarks from customers won us over. Along with nine other great options, be sure to also check out our buying guide so you'll know how to choose the perfect peanut brittle the next time you're at the candy store. Let's get started with a brief description of what peanut brittle is.
- 10 Best Sugar-Free Gums in 2023 (Registered Dietitian-Reviewed)Sugar-Free GumsThere’s nothing wrong with chewing gum regularly to freshen your breath or to exercise your jaw. However, some chewing gum is made with sugar that can cause cavities, tooth decay, or add to your daily calorie intake. If you want to avoid these, it’s best to opt for sugar-free gums. These gums use artificial or natural sweeteners that are less harmful to your oral health and contain fewer calories too.There are so many sugar-free gums to choose from and in many flavors, so to help you with that, we went ahead and put together a list of the best sugar-free gums you can buy online. Trident's Sugar-Free Gum Variety Pack is our top pick. It is made with sorbitol and comes with a variety of flavors too. Curious to know what else made it our list? Scroll down to find 9 other great products and a handy buying guide reviewed by a registered dietitian!
- 10 Best Gluten-Free Pretzels in 2023 (Dietitian-Reviewed)Gluten-Free PretzelsAnyone who has to avoid gluten in their diet knows the struggle of finding good snack foods. If you're used to eating wheat-based snacks, gluten-free replacements can feel lacking in crunch and taste. Pretzels, which traditionally contain both wheat and malt, are a no-go. However, manufacturers are getting better and better at recreating the crunch and flavor we love with gluten-free ingredients and in different shapes like rods, sticks, and crisps.Snyder's of Hanover are pretzel experts, and their Gluten-Free Pretzel Sticks don't disappoint. We recommend the 100 calorie packs for on-the-go snacking. But that's not the only option; keep scrolling to see the rest of our top 10 best gluten-free pretzels. If you want to do some research first, check out our buying guide for helpful tips and information on gluten-free ingredients and more.
Search by category
Apps
Business apps, Cooking apps, Dating appsHome goods
Bath supplies, Ceremonial occasion supplies, Cleaning suppliesHome electronics
Air conditioners and coolers, AV accessories, Blenders and food processorsPC
Computer supplies, Desktop computers, TabletsCamera
Camera bags and backpacks, Camera supplies, Digital single lens camerasBeauty
Blushes, Bronzers, CleansersHealth
Body care products, Health accessories, Health foods and supplementsFood and drinks
Alcohol, Breads and jams, Cocktails and ready-to-drink alcoholic beveragesKitchen
Coffee and tea products, Cooking utensils, CupsFashion
Footwear products, Men's shoes, SandalsShoes
Accessories
Wristwatches, Accessories and jewelry, Umbrellas and parasolsKids and baby
Baby carriers, Baby food, Baby formulaInterior
Beds, Beds and bedding, ChairsHobbies
Aromatherapy products, Art supplies, Arts and collectiblesOutdoor
Barbecue grills and fire pits, Camping beds and cots, Camping gearHome, garden, and tools
Agricultural materials and gardening supplies, Exterior and garden furniture, Materials and repairing agentsSports and fitness
Sports shoes, Surfing supplies, Badminton suppliesPets
Bird and small animal supplies, Cat supplies, Dog suppliesMedia
Books and magazines, CD, Children's books, picture books and illustrated encyclopediasGames
Gaming accessories, Nintendo Switch games, PC gamesAutomotive
Car accessories, Car navigation systemsGifts
Christmas gifts, Father's Day gifts, Gifts for childrenMobile devices
Mobile phone and smartphone accessories, Wearable devices and smart watches