In a perfect world movie theaters would be stocked with an abundance of low carb treats and everyone would have their phones on silent during the movie, but this is not a perfect world. This is reality. Phones are going to be ringing and most foods on concession stand shelves are loaded with sugars and carbs – not even the popcorn is safe to eat on the keto diet! It’s depressing to think that going to the movies can be a temptation. But who can honestly watch an entire flick without a snack? Thankfully, it’s not all doom and gloom because you can sneak a few of these tasty keto snacks into the movie theater without your ketones or anyone else batting an eyelid.
Movie Popcorn The Keto Way
First things first. The popcorn. It is undoubtedly one of the best snacks to have when you are watching a film. It just seems to make any movie feel like it’s deserving of an Oscar. Sadly, traditional stovetop popcorn is not an option for keto dieters, and air-popped popcorn can only be eaten in moderation. And by moderation, we mean one measly cup serving. Most of us do not have the self-discipline to stick to this amount. It starts with a cup and by the time you notice, you’ve already eaten enough to fill a bathtub. The average small tub of popcorn at a movie theater contains almost 11 cups of popcorn which delivers roughly 600 calories, 41 grams of carbs, 24 grams of saturated fat, and over 500 milligrams of sodium. That’s enough to send your glucose levels shooting through the roof.
On your next movie trip, try a few of these healthy popcorn alternatives:
Uncured Organic Pepperoni Chips
Other than the delicious taste, these chips are made by using one ingredient, the pepperoni. Just slice the pepperoni into thin discs, pop them onto a lined baking tray and bake for 10 minutes at 400 °F. So simple! This snack contains virtually no carbs but just the right amount of protein to give you enough energy to stay awake during a long movie. If you are hosting a movie night at home, serve these chips with a cream cheese dip for extra flavor. Don’t forget to mix in a spoonful of MCT oil into the dip to fire up your metabolism.
Low Carb Cheese Crackers
Crackers are the next best thing for keto movie snacks. They are cheesy, salty and have just the right crunch to pass for popcorn. There are various low carb crackers on the market, many of which contain between 0 to 2 grams of net carbs. You can also make your own cheese crackers at home. Some recipes do call for a more complicated method but if you are pressed for time, just grate some cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, arrange it in heaps on a lined baking tray and bake for 7 minutes at 400 °F.
Pork Rinds
Pork rinds make up for the nachos and popcorn you have been missing on the keto diet. It may not be for everyone, especially if you are vegetarian, but if you do eat meat, then you will love this low carb movie snack. They contain zero carbohydrates but a substantial amount of fat and protein, perfect for any keto dieter. You can find these treats prepackaged and prepared in most stores, or you can fry or roast a batch in melted butter at home. Just be sure to buy high-quality cuts.
Keto Candy For A Movie Snack Delight
Something about going to the movies sets off our sweet tooth cravings. Have you ever noticed how quickly you manage to finish a whole slab of chocolate or a jumbo pack of M&M’s in a few minutes flat? It has happened to the best of us! Other than the fact that traditional candies are forbidden on the keto diet, sugar and empty calories do more harm to our bodies than just making us fat. When we go into candy binge mode our triglyceride levels start to rise, our blood sugar starts to surge, and our brains become foggy. Sugar also leads to many severe health conditions in the long run, especially when eaten in excess.
Instead of reaching for the pack of Candy Corn and Twizzlers, opt for these delicious low carb movie snacks instead.
Fat Bombs
Possibly the best part of the keto diet is getting to eat fat bombs. Just the name alone can get you salivating. These little balls of energy are packed with all the right fats to improve your HDL levels (the good type of cholesterol), blood pressure, triglycerides, and insulin levels. There are so many ingredients to choose from when it comes to fat bombs, and they are a breeze to make. Just blend your chosen ingredients together, mold the mixture into power balls, and refrigerate.
Healthy fats to choose from:
- Cream cheese
- Almond butter
- Cacao butter
- Coconut oil, cream, or milk
- MCT oil
- Ghee
Healthy flavoring to choose from:
- Vanilla extract
- Cacao powder
- Unsweetened 70% dark chocolate
- Salt or spices
- Keto nuts
- Chia seeds
- Unsweetened shredded coconut
Cantaloupe
These refreshing melons will satisfy any sweet tooth you may be craving. They make the perfect keto movie snack because you can dice them, store them in a container and pop them in your purse or bag. ½ a cup of cantaloupe contains 5.8 grams net carbs and approximately 26 calories. Cantaloupe has a high water content but it is packed with vital nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Potassium, Fiber, and Beta-Carotene. They do have a slightly higher sugar content when compared to blueberries so moderation is key.
Low Carb Beverages
The concession stand may have a wide variety of diet sodas but just because the name contains the word ‘diet’, it doesn’t mean it’s good for you or won’t send you ketones spiraling out of control. These chemical cocktails contain artificial sweeteners like sucralose, saccharin, and aspartame, which also trigger insulin levels and can kick your body out of ketosis. Diet sodas also don’t hold any nutritional value and the empty calories don’t benefit you in any way.
If you are craving something sweet and fizzy at the movies, make a keto soda by adding a few blueberries, blackberries, and mint leaves to a bottle of sparkling water. A slice of lemon and a few drops of stevia-sweetened water flavoring also makes for a great low carb soft drink. Keto water flavoring drops are available in most shops and come in a wide range of fruity flavors. Sneaking this keto snack into the movie theater is easy because they are packaged in convenient bottles that will fit in your purse or bag.
Enjoying Keto Movie Snacks
The keto diet may be restrictive but it doesn’t have to stop you from living life. Grabbing tasty treats from the concession stand is tempting but ditching the sugars and unhealthy fats is the best thing you can do for your body, weight loss aside. These guilt-free pleasures cost a fraction of the price and won’t leave you feeling exhausted after the ‘sugar high’ either. Sure, giving up the buttery popcorn might be tough at first but once you get a taste of these keto movie snacks, you won’t look back.
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