Popcorn is a good source of carbohydrate energy and fibre. For individuals of normal weight, carbohydrate is the best source of body fuel. Fibre is not used for energy but is an important health factor, which is insufficient in present day urban diets. There are two kinds of fibre - soluble plays a role in regulating hunger, cholesterol and blood sugar, and insoluble is important in gastrointestinal health.

Popcorn has no artificial colour or flavour additives and is surprisingly low in calories. One cup of popped popcorn has 31 calories if eaten plain or seasoned with herbs; 133 calories if drizzled with a tablespoon of butter, margarine, or oil; 34 calories if sprayed with butter-flavoured oil; 35 calories if sprinkled with butter substitute. Most Kernel Season's flavours have less than one calorie per serving.

Many medical groups feel popcorn has a nutritive value. Popcorn is a wholesome, fun food, which aids digestion by providing necessary roughage. Health and medical associations regard popcorn as an excellent mealtime complement - sugar-free, fat-free, and low in calories. The National Cancer Institpte (NCI), USA suggests fibre in the diet to reduce the risk of some forms of cancer. The American Dental Association includes popcorn in its list of recommended sugar-free snacks. The American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association permit popcorn as a bread exchange on weight-control diets, the Feingold Diet for hyperactive children permits popcorn because it contains no artificial additives. Nutrition experts agree that popcorn is an all-around "good" food - healthy, economical and tasty.

Popcorn is a whole grain and its nutritive value is retained inside the hull until it is popped. The US Department of Agriculture has found the following nutritive values in one pint of popped popcorn. The figures may vary because of the actual weight or size of the kernels.

Popcorn with high-quality carbohydrate and high fibre content coupled with low calories makes it longer to chew and makes one feel full longer. These figures may not sound like much, but compared ounce for ounce with beef, popcorn provides 67% as much protein, 110% as much iron, and an equal amount of calcium. A pint of popcorn contains three times as much phosphorus as a pint of milk. A cup of unbuttered popcorn contains less calories than half a medium grapefruit.

Popcorn is a very good dieting aid. Eaten immediately before a meal, it will take the edge of an appetite. The cellulose of the popcorn hull is an indigestible carbohydrate. This cellulose is an excellent dietary roughage and compares to bran flakes. Digestible carbohydrates in the popcorn provide energy and are supposed to help the body to metabolize fat.When popcorn is being used as part of a dieting programme, the butter may be skipped and just light salt with the popped kernels may provide a good taste.