I’m a snacker. If I can hold it in my hand or eat it from a bowl then I’ll eat it while watching TV, talking on the phone, or working on the computer. The problem with this habit, while delicious, is that it isn’t very healthy. Depending on what you eat, that is. If I’m munching on potato chips every 3 hours, that’s definitely not a good thing. It also conjures up my mom’s voice in my head saying, “You’ll spoil your dinner!” However if I’m munching on something that gives me protein, fiber and flavor in just a few calories, that sounds like a win-win situation for me. Winning for my stomach that gets filled, winning for my waistline that doesn’t grow and it stops me from hearing my mom in my head – always a good thing!
Fortunately, Orville Redenbacher has just that type of snack with their SmartPop Mini Bags. The SmartPop! bags are the perfect solution for the snackers in us who enjoy munching one something but don’t want to deal with the negative consequences of snacking. For example, a recent study by a ConAgra Foods research team determined that eating a 100 calorie portion of SmartPop! mini bags was more filling and satisfying than eating 100 calories of chocolates. On one hand that makes perfect sense. Would you think that two nuggets of chocolate was more or less filling than the entire bowl of popcorn pictured below? Yes, that bowl is ONE bag of SmartPop! equals just 100 calories and that entire bowl is ONE serving that was all for me!
The study also showed that if you snack on 100 calories of low-fat popcorn 30 minutes before lunch, it has virtual no effect in terms of how much you eat for lunch, whereas eating 150 calories of potato chips actually increased your caloric intake at lunch. So if you get a little inkling for a snack before lunch, you can satisfy your craving with some SmartPop! without having a negative effect on your lunch. This is a good thing because this is how my bowl of popcorn looked while I snacked during an episode of Firefly.
There’s another thing that I found really interesting about my empty bowl of popcorn. I’m not sure about you guys, but oftentimes when I microwave my popcorn, I get tons of unpopped kernels left over. If you look at the bowl, you can see that there were only 5 unpopped kernels of popcorn.
The flavor of Orville Redenbacher’s Butter SmartPop! was great. I loved that it didn’t have the artificial butter taste that some other brands seem to have. It was just the right amount of butter flavor to not overwhelm and to not leave your fingers greasy. The popcorn was perfectly cooked – fluffy and airy.
With an entire bowl of popcorn coming in at just 100 calories, it seems like SmartPop! is a no-brainer for a snack food. But Orville has upped the ante. SmartPop! is also 94% fat free and has 0g of trans fat per serving. In addition to being a 100% whole grain tasty treat, it also provides 4g of your daily recommended dietary fiber, 3g of protein and 6% of the recommend iron.
I should also mention how much more convenient it is to offer mini bags of popcorn when it comes to portion control. Since there’s only one serving of popcorn per mini bag, it ensures that I don’t eat too much popcorn and that I don’t have any left overs.
If you’re looking for a healthy snack that tastes great and won’t ruin your appetite, then you should check out Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! popcorn. It’s satisfying, healthy, and oh-so-tasty.
Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! is currently in stores nationwide and comes in Butter and Kettle Korn flavors. Both regular sizes and mini bags are available. For more information about SmartPop! popcorn, please visit www.orville.com.
What’s Cooking at DD Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! Giveaway!
The Prize: 1 winner will receive two boxes of Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop!
This giveaway has ended.
Disclaimer: This post consists of my (and/or fellow tester) opinions only. No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive free SmartPop! products from the manufacturer or representing PR agency to use and test for the purposes of this review. This did not affect the outcome of this review.
barb says
May 11, 2010 at 12:52 pmI learned it's much healthier to have smart pop popcorn than potato chips! You can have up to 3 cups of popcorn & that is a huge amount! Sounds like it fits right in with my diabetic meal plan so I hope I win! I like their website it was very informatiive doing comparisons.
Melissa says
May 11, 2010 at 7:25 pmI always thought Pretzels were healthy but for 100 calories you only get 15 pretzels which isn't very much if you're snacking. The popcorn is much better
Melissa says
May 11, 2010 at 2:25 pmI always thought Pretzels were healthy but for 100 calories you only get 15 pretzels which isn't very much if you're snacking. The popcorn is much better
caroldz says
May 11, 2010 at 8:52 pm[email protected] I learned that my favorite snack, Cheezits, only gives me 18-19 little crackers for the same calories as Orville's 6 cups of popcorn!!
caroldz says
May 11, 2010 at 3:52 pm[email protected] I learned that my favorite snack, Cheezits, only gives me 18-19 little crackers for the same calories as Orville's 6 cups of popcorn!!
bonnie says
May 11, 2010 at 8:58 pmI went to the Orville Redenbacher's site and learned that my favorite snack thin and fried 100 calories only has 7 to 8 chips compared to the popcorn which is 6 cups.
bonnie says
May 11, 2010 at 3:58 pmI went to the Orville Redenbacher's site and learned that my favorite snack thin and fried 100 calories only has 7 to 8 chips compared to the popcorn which is 6 cups.
debp says
May 11, 2010 at 9:23 pmI took it with the cheezits. I could only have 18-19 of them compared to 6 cups of popcorn.debp[email protected]
debp says
May 11, 2010 at 4:23 pmI took it with the cheezits. I could only have 18-19 of them compared to 6 cups of popcorn.
debp
[email protected]
Amanda says
May 11, 2010 at 9:51 pmI compared the chips and learned that my favorite snack thin and fried 100 calories you only get 7 to 8 chips compared to 6 cups of popcorn! That's a big difference! [email protected]
Amanda says
May 11, 2010 at 4:51 pmI compared the chips and learned that my favorite snack thin and fried 100 calories you only get 7 to 8 chips compared to 6 cups of popcorn! That's a big difference!
[email protected]
denise says
May 11, 2010 at 9:57 pmI put it up against Doritos:, Smart pop , 6 cups, 2 g fat, 100 cal; vs. Doritos, 7-8 chips, 5.6 g fat, 100 cal.Smart Pop wins
denise says
May 11, 2010 at 4:57 pmI put it up against Doritos:, Smart pop , 6 cups, 2 g fat, 100 cal; vs. Doritos, 7-8 chips, 5.6 g fat, 100 cal.
Smart Pop wins
karissa says
May 11, 2010 at 10:36 pmI compare to chips.. I think I would get more from the 6 cups of popcorn rather tan 7-8 chips!!
karissa says
May 11, 2010 at 5:36 pmI compare to chips.. I think I would get more from the 6 cups of popcorn rather tan 7-8 chips!!
Pat says
May 11, 2010 at 11:39 pm6 cups of popcorn = 15-16 pretzels.
Pat says
May 11, 2010 at 6:39 pm6 cups of popcorn = 15-16 pretzels.
barb says
May 11, 2010 at 5:52 pmI learned it's much healthier to have smart pop popcorn than potato chips! You can have up to 3 cups of popcorn & that is a huge amount! Sounds like it fits right in with my diabetic meal plan so I hope I win! I like their website it was very informatiive doing comparisons.
Beverly west says
May 12, 2010 at 12:45 am6 cups of popcorn for 100 calories, but I only get 15-16 CheezitsAmazing.
Beverly west says
May 11, 2010 at 7:45 pm6 cups of popcorn for 100 calories, but I only get 15-16 Cheezits
Amazing.
Jenna Wood says
May 12, 2010 at 1:05 amI learned just 6-7 animal crackers equals 6 cups of Orville popcorn!six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Jenna Wood says
May 11, 2010 at 8:05 pmI learned just 6-7 animal crackers equals 6 cups of Orville popcorn!
six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Hurdler4eva says
May 12, 2010 at 3:01 amI compared pretzels and learned that I only get 15 pretzels – which does not seem like much! I usually eat way more.
Hurdler4eva says
May 11, 2010 at 10:01 pmI compared pretzels and learned that I only get 15 pretzels – which does not seem like much! I usually eat way more.
Homero Gutierrez says
May 12, 2010 at 2:07 pm6 cups of popcorn to about 6-7 crackers, is not very filling.
Homero Gutierrez says
May 12, 2010 at 9:07 am6 cups of popcorn to about 6-7 crackers, is not very filling.
krsmmntv says
May 12, 2010 at 3:08 pmI compared the pretzels and there's not many pretzels compared to popcorn for 100 calories!
krsmmntv says
May 12, 2010 at 10:08 amI compared the pretzels and there's not many pretzels compared to popcorn for 100 calories!
missdeb1 says
May 12, 2010 at 7:12 pmI compared the Cheezits and learned I could have 18-19 of them compared to 6 cups of popcorn.
missdeb1 says
May 12, 2010 at 2:12 pmI compared the Cheezits and learned I could have 18-19 of them compared to 6 cups of popcorn.
chris says
May 13, 2010 at 1:10 am6 cups of popcorn to about 6-7 crackers, so much more fiber in the popcorn
chris says
May 12, 2010 at 8:10 pm6 cups of popcorn to about 6-7 crackers, so much more fiber in the popcorn
nanlara says
May 13, 2010 at 6:08 pmi learned i can only eat 7-8 doritos for the same amount of calories
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
nanlara says
May 13, 2010 at 11:08 pmi learned i can only eat 7-8 doritos for the same amount of caloriesnannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
Lori says
May 15, 2010 at 9:22 pmI compared with the doritos and found that maybe I should stay with popcorn as a snack and get more to eat!
Lori says
May 15, 2010 at 4:22 pmI compared with the doritos and found that maybe I should stay with popcorn as a snack and get more to eat!
iplaytrack1224 says
May 17, 2010 at 5:42 amAwesome blog and thanks for the giveaway!Would love love LOVE to win this!=]
iplaytrack1224 says
May 17, 2010 at 12:42 amAwesome blog and thanks for the giveaway!
Would love love LOVE to win this!
=]
JosephJB says
May 17, 2010 at 6:35 amI compared “Pretzels” – 100 calories equaled 15-16 pretzels, 0.9 grams of fat – Knot much there – eat Orville Redenbacher's 100 calories instead 6 cups, 2 grams fat.
JosephJB says
May 17, 2010 at 1:35 amI compared “Pretzels” – 100 calories equaled 15-16 pretzels, 0.9 grams of fat – Knot much there – eat Orville Redenbacher's 100 calories instead 6 cups, 2 grams fat.
Erica C. says
May 17, 2010 at 7:21 amYummy! Oh man…I compared the popcorn to Cheez-Its…it's only 18-19 crackers.
Erica C. says
May 17, 2010 at 2:21 amYummy! Oh man…I compared the popcorn to Cheez-Its…it's only 18-19 crackers.
Laura Woods says
May 17, 2010 at 5:36 pmI discovered that for 100 calories I could have only 7-8 chips or a full 6 cups of popcorn. Wow that's a huge difference! I'm glad I love popcorn.laurawoods23x at yahoo dot com
Laura Woods says
May 17, 2010 at 12:36 pmI discovered that for 100 calories I could have only 7-8 chips or a full 6 cups of popcorn. Wow that's a huge difference! I'm glad I love popcorn.
laurawoods23x at yahoo dot com
Sheila P. says
May 17, 2010 at 11:00 pmI compared the Cheezits to the Smart Pop. Smart Pop has less fat.
Sheila P. says
May 17, 2010 at 6:00 pmI compared the Cheezits to the Smart Pop. Smart Pop has less fat.
Ed Nemmers says
May 18, 2010 at 12:09 am15 – 16 pretzels is the equivalent of six cups of popcorn!
Ed Nemmers says
May 17, 2010 at 7:09 pm15 – 16 pretzels is the equivalent of six cups of popcorn!
Sue Farrell says
May 18, 2010 at 2:25 amI compared pretzels to the popcorn—wow–6 cups of popcorn and only 15-16 pretzels.
Sue Farrell says
May 17, 2010 at 9:25 pmI compared pretzels to the popcorn—wow–6 cups of popcorn and only 15-16 pretzels.
ms0812 says
May 18, 2010 at 2:36 amI compared pretzels…you only get 15-16 as opposed to 6 cups of popcorn!
ms0812 says
May 17, 2010 at 9:36 pmI compared pretzels…you only get 15-16 as opposed to 6 cups of popcorn!
christine sarkauskas says
May 18, 2010 at 3:41 amI compared the chips and 100 calories you only get 7 to 8 chips compared to 6 cups of popcornflychild7(at)gmail(dot)com
christine sarkauskas says
May 17, 2010 at 10:41 pmI compared the chips and 100 calories you only get 7 to 8 chips compared to 6 cups of popcorn
flychild7(at)gmail(dot)com
rachelnewman says
May 18, 2010 at 5:21 amI compared to the round little ritzes (round crackers). I definitely would rather eat the popcorn by the handful! racheliznewman(at)gmail(dot)com
rachelnewman says
May 18, 2010 at 12:21 amI compared to the round little ritzes (round crackers). I definitely would rather eat the popcorn by the handful! racheliznewman(at)gmail(dot)com
robynnorris says
May 18, 2010 at 7:26 amI learned that six cups of popcorn only equals six crackers!
robynnorris says
May 18, 2010 at 2:26 amI learned that six cups of popcorn only equals six crackers!
Karen P says
May 18, 2010 at 9:26 amI picked animal crackers and you only get 6-7 for 100 calories
Karen says
May 18, 2010 at 4:26 amI picked animal crackers and you only get 6-7 for 100 calories
amy d says
May 18, 2010 at 4:17 pmcompared with the doritos and found that maybe I should stay with popcorn.alot better
amy d says
May 18, 2010 at 11:17 amcompared with the doritos and found that maybe I should stay with popcorn.alot better
amy d says
May 18, 2010 at 4:18 pmi follow your blog
amy d says
May 18, 2010 at 11:18 ami follow your blog
Jan says
May 18, 2010 at 4:22 pmI took the snack comparison and learned that 18-19 cheese crackers is equal to 6 cups of popcorn in calories
Jan says
May 18, 2010 at 11:22 amI took the snack comparison and learned that 18-19 cheese crackers is equal to 6 cups of popcorn in calories
Melissa B. says
May 18, 2010 at 8:48 pm18 to 19 cheez-its is equal to 6 cups of popcorn.
Melissa B. says
May 18, 2010 at 3:48 pm18 to 19 cheez-its is equal to 6 cups of popcorn.
susansmoaks says
May 18, 2010 at 8:59 pmi compared the ritz crackers, 6-7 crackers for 100 calories, 6 cups of popcorn!
susansmoaks says
May 18, 2010 at 3:59 pmi compared the ritz crackers, 6-7 crackers for 100 calories, 6 cups of popcorn!
A Mom's Take says
May 19, 2010 at 12:48 amanimal crackers you only get 6-7 crackers vs 6 CUPS of popcorn!! WOW!!janel_marie at yahoo dot com
A Mom's Take says
May 18, 2010 at 7:48 pmanimal crackers you only get 6-7 crackers vs 6 CUPS of popcorn!! WOW!!
janel_marie at yahoo dot com
susan1215 says
May 19, 2010 at 3:44 amI compared the chips and learned that my favorite snack thin and fried 100 calories you only get 7 to 8 chips compared to 6 cups of popcorn
susan1215 says
May 18, 2010 at 10:44 pmI compared the chips and learned that my favorite snack thin and fried 100 calories you only get 7 to 8 chips compared to 6 cups of popcorn
Lisa says
May 19, 2010 at 3:57 amI compared pretzels vs popcorn.for 100 calories you get 15-16 pretzels or 6 cups of popcorn.
Lisa says
May 18, 2010 at 10:57 pmI compared pretzels vs popcorn.for 100 calories you get 15-16 pretzels or 6 cups of popcorn.
gkran says
May 19, 2010 at 4:46 am6 cups of popcorn to about 6-7 crackers.. i'd rather have the popcorn :)They also have new flavors like cheddar.
gkran says
May 18, 2010 at 11:46 pm6 cups of popcorn to about 6-7 crackers.. i'd rather have the popcorn 🙂
They also have new flavors like cheddar.