I got a new nifty microwavable popcorn popping bowl.

I am wondering this -

On the bag of kernels I have, it shows serving size as - 2 tbsp unpopped, showing 110 calories, 5 of those as fat. Popped is 1 cup with 20 calories and no fat. How come the difference is so broad?

Also, when I pop 2 tbsp it actually measures as 2 cups popped. Do I count the calories as 20, 40, 110, 220 or what

I count the unpopped value. "Popped" values always assume that the popcorn will pop up huge and fluffy and that a fair portion of the kernels won't pop and won't be eaten. I eat unpopped kernels if they crack a bit, and my popcorn never pops quite as fluffy as they think it will, so i measure what I put IN (the unpopped corn) and whatever output that gets me in cups of popped corn, great.

So, if I use 2 tbsp unpopped, I would count as 110 calories, yes?

I do the same thing as Amanda - I measure the unpopped that I put it. So yes, for the popcorn you describe 2 tbsp would be 110 calories to me. Measuring the popped doesn't work for me - I get a lot of variety based on my popping technique, sometimes I get more volume for my 3 tbsp unpopped than others.

Okay, it was just so confusing and me being the person I am, I would have gotten comfortable with the 20 calories part and disregarded the other .

Thanks ya'll

Don't feel bad, I would have done the same thing. I posted a very similar question about a year ago!

Haha. I reckon I should start utilizing the search feature here

As far as the oil is concerned, corn naturally has oil in it - corn oil. The small amount is actually good for you as long as you don't overdo it. Popcorn is a great low cal snack. Its full of fiber and filling and takes awhile to eat.

I agree on the "Don't feel bad". Popcorn calories are notoriously confusing (they even have their own stickied thread in the WW forum, because they're so variable and don't seem to add up).

Thanks again for helping me out with this

You know, I just went back and looked for the thread where I asked about it and couldn't find it... I still have trouble with the search feature, and it is greater than 1000 posts ago I guess.

I love popcorn - I make it airpopped sometimes, other times I use a whirly popper with a small amount of peanut oil. I saw something recently about putting lime juice and chili powder on popcorn and really want to try that...

Enjoy! And, your new pic looks great, btw!

The microwavable bowl I have you can use with no oil, which is how I cook it. I just eat it plain..well, okay..sometimes I dip it in mustard

Thank you very much for the compliment on my picture

I do not have an air popper. Does anyone know if using non-fat cooking spray is doable while popping corn in a skillet.

I use nonstick spray in my stovetop popper and it works fine for me.

I think I've also seen someone say that you can put popcorn in the microwave in a bowl covered with a plate and it'll microwave air pop. I've never tried it though. I know the bag with no oil works though.