Did you know that popcorn is the only snack that’s 100% unprocessed whole grain? In fact, one serving of popcorn (about 1 cup) provides over 70% of your daily intake for whole grains. That’s good news for me because it’s one of my favorite foods. Here’s the skinny: Popcorn is minimally processed, loaded with fiber and complex carbohydrates, low in fat and provides a rich source of polyphenols, antioxidants that prevent free radical damage to cells. Polyphenols also help fight a number of chronic diseases. And because popcorn has just 4% water, it provides a more concentrated source of polyphenols than fruits and vegetables (which can be up to 90% water). Yes, fruits and vegetables are rich in polyphenols, but because of their high water content, one serving of popcorn contains more antioxidants than a day’s worth of fruits and vegetables.

Note: To be fair to the produce aisle, fruits and vegetables also contain vitamins and minerals not found in popcorn.

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February is National Snack Food Month — instead of snacking on junk for 30 straight days, try Popcorn, Indiana FIT. Each cup contains 40 calories or less, and it comes in four flavors: Sea Salt, Parmesan & Herb, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Onion Dijon.

You can buy your own Popcorn, Indiana FIT or enter in the comments for a chance to win some. Just let us know, in the comments, what you like to snack on. The contest starts at 10:00 a.m. EST today, and ends on Friday, February 8 at 5 p.m. EST.

We’re giving away four bags each to five lucky, randomly-selected commenters. You must include your email address in the “Email” field when submitting your comment so we can communicate with you if you’re a winner.

You may only comment once to be considered and you don’t have to purchase anything to win; a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds depend on total number of entries. Void where prohibited. Only open to legal residents of 50 U.S. states, D.C. or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least 18 to win. For the first day of the giveaway, all entries (answers) must be entered between 10:00 a.m. EST on February 6 and 5 p.m. EST on February 8, 2013. Subject to full official rules. By leaving a comment on the blog, you acknowledge your acceptance to the Official Rules. ARV of each prize: $14. Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC, d/b/a Food Network, 9721 Sherrill Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37932.

So tell us, what’s your go-to snack?

Lots of sugar and fat can make this classic Halloween treat super scary. This lightened-up treat has a few tricks – homemade popcorn, a few better-for-you ingredients and smart portions.

Nutrition Facts
Depending on the ingredients, basic buttery and sugary popcorn balls can have anywhere from 200 to 400-plus calories. The numbers only go up from there with the addition of nuts, candy and caramel. Treat trick-or-treaters or Halloween party-goers to this homemade version  — with a fraction of the calories — instead.

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Is popcorn healthy? The answer to this question: it depends. There are so many types to choose from: kettle corn, movie popcorn, microwave, air-popped and pre-popped, flavored varieties. Some choices are definitely much healthier than others.

Yes?
Air-popped popcorn is a whole grain and has between 30-55 calories per cup. It also has 5% of your daily recommended amount of fiber and is brimming with polyphenols, an antioxidant substance that has been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. It can be made without the addition of oil as seen in this Food Network Kitchens’ homemade microwave popcorn recipe—made in a brown paper lunch bag!

With air-popped popcorn, you can control the added calories when it comes to add-ons like salt, Parmesan cheese, oil or butter. Check out or tips on making your own.

You can also find microwave in lighter and 100-calorie pack varieties to help you control the calories.

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What's this movie night treat made with?

There’s no better snack for movie night at home than a bucket of buttery popcorn. But you may think twice about the microwave stuff after we tell you about and ingredient it contains, diacetyl, and the trouble it has caused.

What is it?
Diacetyl was first synthesized more than 80 years ago and can now be found in about 6,000 food products. It’s used as a preservative in unsalted butter to lengthen shelf life, but higher amounts are added to butter-flavored products like microwave popcorn, cooking oils and sprays and margarine.

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Nuts are a high-protein snack that will keep you feeling full.

Do you find yourself hungry 30 minutes after eating? Certain foods can help keep you satisfied so you avoid mindlessly munching throughout the day. Add these 10 filling foods to your daily repertoire.

#1: Oatmeal
A bowl of warming oatmeal can help jump-start a cold winter day and keep you satisfied, thanks to all that fiber.

Recipe: Apple Harvest Oatmeal

#2: Cottage Cheese
This underappreciated food has a perfect balance of fat, carbs and protein. You can count on the combo of protein and fat to help fill you up. Top ½ cup of low fat cottage cheese with fresh fruit or granola or use cottage in dip, quick bread, or pancake recipes.

Recipe: Cottage Cheese Biscuits

#3: Nuts
Pistachios, pecans, almonds, walnuts, or cashews— nuts contain healthy unsaturated fat combined with protein to help keep you satisfied. With an average of 7 calories per nut, a small handful (about an ounce) makes a great snack.

Recipe: Almond Lover Trail Mix

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A snack of baked tortilla chips and 1/4 cup of salsa has just 180 calories.

Having a snack attack? Forgo the last minute trip to the vending machine and be prepared when hunger strikes with these snacks with fewer than 200 calories each.

#1: Basic Edamame
Munch on baby soy beans packed with protein and hunger-fighting fiber.
Calories: 150

#2: Apple and Peanut Butter
Top a sliced apple with natural peanut butter for a smooth and crunchy combination. This snack is packed with heart-healthy unsaturated fat and the antioxidant vitamins E and C. Check out how your favorite brand did in our taste test.
Calories: 190

#3: Rainbow Fruit Skewers With Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
This snack consists of 2 fruit skewers plus 3 chocolate-dipped strawberries. What better way to get a healthy dose of antioxidants plus your chocolate fix!
Calories: 184

#4: Chips and Spicy Salsa
An ounce of baked tortilla chips (about 15) dipped in ¼ cup salsa will give you a boost of vitamin C and lycopene.
Calories: 180

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You may love to take your family to the movies, but you’ll want to shield their eyes from the concession stand. Buttery popcorn, pizza, nachos, french fries, hot dogs, slushies, ice cream and gobs of candy sound appealing, but chow down on a couple of these and you might gobble up two days worth of calories in two hours.

So what’s a movie-goer to do?

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In this week’s nutrition news: More concerns over BPA in plastics, counterfeit Alli sold online and celebrating National Popcorn Day!

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In this week’s nutrition news: New shocking results on the calories in popcorn, tortilla company linked to school food poisoning outbreaks and a new study shows how you prepare your fish may benefit your heart.

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