Say NO to Microwave Popcorn: Popcorn in a Pot

If you are still using microwave popcorn, please do me a favor and throw it away! Yes, we all grew up on those buttery smelling popcorn bags and we’d enjoy them during movie nights or for a quick snack, sometimes eating several bags at a time. After researching the health issues linked to bagged popcorn, I was sick to my stomach and felt horrible about all the bags I’ve consumed in my lifetime 🙁

Recent studies have stated that microwave popcorn is bad for your health for the following reasons:

• The bags that contain the kernels are lined with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is the same stuff used in teflon pots and pans. It’s been linked to causing thyroid issues, AHDH, high cholesterol and bladder cancer.
• That amazing popcorn smell when you first open up the bag? It’s actually a chemical called diacetyl, a synthetic butter flavoring added to the product. It is so potent that it’s been known to cause lung damage in microwavable-popcorn factory workers!
• Unless otherwise noted, popcorn kernels and the flavorings used contain genetically modified materials. GMOs have been noted to cause digestive disease, food allergies, and even tumors. Avoid GMO’s as much as possible!
• Many popcorn bags contain trans fats – an absolute fat horror for your heart. It’s even been linked to reproductive problems like endometriosis. When I found out about the effects of trans fat I felt so sad because a lot of my friends have endometriosis and other women’s health issues. Subhan’Allah we do not realize how toxic our food is and how it’s directly related to our overall health. Food manufacturers deceptively use other words so they can hide the fact that their product contains trans fat. Even if the box says “No Trans Fat”, be wary, because hydrogenated oils (found in almost all bagged popcorn) indicate the presence of trans fats.

I recently started making my own popcorn, using organic popcorn kernels and my own seasonings. It taste so fresh and is actually very easy to make – I made it in less than 5 minutes! I purchased the organic kernels from Trader Joes.

Trader Joe’s Organic Popping Corn

Ingredients

– 3 tablespoons oil (extra light olive oil or expeller pressed coconut oil)
– 1 cup organic popcorn kernels
– natural sea salt, as desired
– melted butter, or ghee (to taste)

Directions

Popcorn Kernels in Oil

1. Place oil, popcorn kernels, and salt in a large heavy bottom pot on high heat.
2. Cover pot with lid and listen for popping noises.
3. When popcorn starts to pop rapidly, lift the pot and carefully shake the pot around. Set it back down and repeat a few more times until the popping sound starts to get less.
4. When popcorn is done popping, remove from heat. Lift up the lid and add the melted butter or ghee on top. I needed to add more salt.
5. Enjoy warm…and pop in a movie! 🙂
   

   Freshly Popped Popcorn

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