One large popcorn = 3 Big Macs?
From an article by Richard Verrier in today's Los Angeles Times:
The nation's cinema operators are fuming about proposed federal rules that could require them to disclose the calories in their concession food — including popcorn, a highly profitable item for theater chains.
The article quotes a study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest that found "that a large popcorn serving contained as much as 1,460 calories — which is the equivalent of eating nearly three McDonald's Big Macs."
What do you think about this? Should movie theaters have to post nutritional information?
Los Angeles Times photo/Allen J. Schaben
Comments
No wonder I feel sick after eating movie popcorn!
Posted by: Diane | March 24, 2011 3:15 PM
They shouldn't HAVE to. Is there someone out there who thinks that there is a healthy option at the movie theatre? But maybe if the theatre operators are concerned about losing revenue they could introduce some healthier options, and allow people to make an informed decision.
Maybe then I could stop smuggling in baby carrots and bottled water. :)
Posted by: Chris Bingel | March 24, 2011 3:21 PM
God I love movie theater popcorn. I don't wanna know. I DON'T WANNA KNOW!
Posted by: Sam Sessa | March 24, 2011 3:50 PM
The end of the article has a statement about adding healthier items such as "yogurt, granola bars, and vegetables" at the theaters. I'm sorry, but if I'm at a movie, the last thing I'm eating are vegetables. I don't get to a real theater that often, and when I do, this chick wants the popcorn with all the accoutrements!
Posted by: MC | March 24, 2011 4:16 PM
Movie theater popcorn use to be freshly popped in the theater. No more, it's delivered in plastic bags, from who knows where. It's usually stale, the only thing that perks it up a little, is the fake butter. At $7 a bag, it's an unhealthy rip-off.
Posted by: jack Ziegler | March 24, 2011 6:02 PM
@ Chris Bingel
Probably, but popcorn is a HUGE money maker for movie theaters, and as I guess you now see, most folks have a hard time even imagining watching a movie at a theater without it. So don't expect things to change any time soon.
The only place where I've seen your idea get any sort of traction is out in the NW. However, the laws there are completely different then what we have here (in Portland many theaters serve draft beer), which I guess allows them to sell stuff like calzones, pizza slices, etc.
Not that I'm sure a hot, gooey calzone is any better for you then a bucket of "swimming with butter" popcorn.
Posted by: JohnM. | March 25, 2011 9:56 AM