Eat More in Front of the TV

Does your prime-time TV viewing go hand in hand with major snacking? Not a problem . . . if you choose this for your evening treat: popcorn.

You can eat up to 6 cups of certain low-fat microwave brands for about the same number of calories you'd get from just 7 or 8 chips. Plus, the popcorn also counts as two servings of whole grains. All in all, one satisfying nosh!

A Kernel of Truth
A survey of 15,000 people found that popcorn eaters get far more whole grains than people who go popcorn-free. And that's great news for the waistline, because high-fiber whole grains help you feel more satisfied. They also help keep your blood sugar steady and your blood pressure under control. And whole grains may help flatten your belly, too -- here's how.

Pop Up, Slim Down
Of course, you'll undo all the good of perfectly popped popcorn if you drown it in butter and salt a la those movie-theater tubs. So look at labels and be a smart popper. Orville Redenbacher, Pop Secret, and Jolly Time all offer 100-calorie microwave packs with 5 to 6 cups of popcorn in one bag. Or try this 4-cup, 75-calorie savory popcorn from EatingWell.

Whole-Grain Knowledge
How well do you know your whole grains? Test your savvy with this quiz.

Popcorn consumption and dietary and physiological parameters of US children and adults: analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002 dietary survey data. Grandjean, A. C. et al., Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2008 May;108(5):853-856.