Movie Theater Treats

Thinking about taking a trip to the movie theater?  It is movie season, and with the cold weather rolling in a movie theater is a common place for people to spend a night or afternoon.  Movie theater popcorn has made its way into the news lately and it isn’t getting a very good rap.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest is reporting that the popcorn at movies theaters is extremely high in calories and contains massive amounts of saturated fat and salt.  Massive meaning it’s a welcome call for a heart attack.  At AMC movie theaters, a large popcorn comes in at 1,030 calories and contains a whopping 57 grams of saturated fat.  That is almost three times the recommended daily intake of saturated fat, and enough calories to have a healthy breakfast and lunch.

Add a non-diet soda to the mix and you throwing in and 130+ calories.  Next, add some candy and you’re calories are really piling up.  Candy at movie theaters are usually plus sized and meant to be shared.

A Fix?

Next time you head to the theater, throw your own popcorn in a ziploc bag.  You’ll be able to pick you own levels of fat and calories and control portions with the amount you bring.  Try to avoid soda at the theater all together and opt for water instead.  Have a sweet tooth?  Bring your own treat.  If you can’t pass up the Reese’s or M&M’s bring a small bag so you have some control.  If you really want to take a healthy plunge, bring some dried fruits and nuts to munch on instead.  Enjoy the movie without causing harm to your health and waistline.

What’s your favorite movie theater treat?  Do you bring your own or splurge at the theater?

Healthy Cocktails…

Let me state the obvious…in college, alcoholic beverages will be consumed.  This is one trap that many students fall into resulting in the “Freshman 15″.  So how can you make cocktail hour(s) a little healthier?  Follow some of these tips and try to add a glass of water into the mix as well.

Rick Audet/Wikimedia Commons

The Mixer:

Skip the high calorie, high sugar fruit juices that many drinks are made with. Instead of going straight to the sugar free alternative, try a low sugar, low calorie one. This way you still get some sweet flavor and cut out calories.  An even better alternative to the fruity drinks would be a drink with soda water and just a splash of the fruit juice for flavor- or try a flavored vodka/rum instead.

Beer:

It is completely acceptable to enjoy a beer every once and a while, as long as you are conscious of the beer you are drinking.  Chances are, the beer coming out of the keg at that party last week was not one of the lighter choices, and the cups you were drinking out of…a bit larger than a bottle or can.  Don’t fret, you can still have a beer here and there, but try a light beer or one of the newer super light beers.  If you’re a big fan of beer and ale, savor your drinks and practice portion control when enjoying them by limiting yourself.

Wine:

A wine drinker? No problem!  Generally, white wines will be lower in calories than reds, but they’re pretty close.  Keep the glass small, and enjoy the wine, sipping it slowly.  Wine is a drink that you can savor for a little longer than others.  So find one you really enjoy and make it last as long as you can!