You have to agree that for most of us, the 2-3 hours spent in a movie hall are no fun if we dont have a loaded snack tray on our lap. After all, sitting in one place for hours is hard work and we need sustenance. Such is the profound influence of nutrition on any social occasion, that taking away the nutrition element takes away most of the fun. Example: Would it be a fun movie experience without popcorn and a fizzy drink? No. And, thats the point I am usually also trying to convey through this blog i.e. the far reaching influence of nutrition.
Coming back to movie halls AND snack trays, halls which are part of a multiplex never disappoint when it comes to dishing out select 'movie time' snacks. Here`s a low down on the Top-5 Popular Multiplex food and what they do to your health-
Coming back to movie halls AND snack trays, halls which are part of a multiplex never disappoint when it comes to dishing out select 'movie time' snacks. Here`s a low down on the Top-5 Popular Multiplex food and what they do to your health-
1. Popcorn- For me movies are synonymous with the smell of popcorn and watching a film without an overflowing popcorn tub (tightly gripped, mind you), almost borders on sacrilegious. Then, why dont multiplexes give customers more healthy options when it comes to the iconic movie snack?
Movie hall popcorn is usually popped in oil and not air popped. It can be, but its not. Thus, depending on the type of oil or fat being used, your body will get a good helping of saturated or trans fat (heart unhealthy fats). Opting for buttered popcorn over plain, further brings in more saturated fat into your arteries. As if this were not enough, the high levels of salt in the popcorn spike your blood pressure. Go easy on the salt for once Mister Multiplex Snack Vendor. Oh, for air popped, sanely salted, unbuttered, movie hall popcorn.
Movie hall popcorn is usually popped in oil and not air popped. It can be, but its not. Thus, depending on the type of oil or fat being used, your body will get a good helping of saturated or trans fat (heart unhealthy fats). Opting for buttered popcorn over plain, further brings in more saturated fat into your arteries. As if this were not enough, the high levels of salt in the popcorn spike your blood pressure. Go easy on the salt for once Mister Multiplex Snack Vendor. Oh, for air popped, sanely salted, unbuttered, movie hall popcorn.
2. Carbonated a.k.a Soft Drinks or Soda Pop- The popcorn does its job of making you thirsty pretty well (why do you think its made very salty?). So, now you load up on a soft drink like some cola. Whats a soft drink? Just carbonated water (water to which carbon dioxide gas is added), flavour, sugar and calories. Remember, the calories in a soft drink are not accompanied by any other significant nutrient and are hence termed as `empty calories'. Apart from the temporary thirst quenching abilities, these aerated drinks are nutritionally a 'nothing' and still so popular. I wonder why some people drink them by the gallons. Just like I wonder about a terrible film which manages to become a hit.
3. Packaged Potato Chips- Possess enough calories (because they are deep fried and not because of the potato) and salt to undo a days worth of controlled eating. Branded ones may be saturated and trans fat free because of food regulations, but you will still have to check the `Nutrition Panel' or the `Ingredients' section on the pack to be sure. Cant say the same for unbranded ones. Both types are however always highly salty.
4. Burger, Sandwich, Roll, Wrap- Can be low calorie (read: nice to eat) if they are made without an overload of cheese, butter, mayonnaise, deep fried filling eg deep fried vegetable cutlet and other high calorie accompaniments eg cream spread or dip.
5. Pattie, Samosa (a stuffed pastry) & Pakora (fritter)- Deep fried in an oil you will never know details about. Stuffed with a filling which may not be the most healthy. I would give it a skip.
Now that I have taken the fun out of movie snacking, would I mind telling what can one eat in a theater? No, I wont mind. So here are some options:
Beverages
- Buy a bottle of water and guzzle through the film. Even if you give into the temptation of buying a soft drink or any other `empty calorie' beverage, you will not be very thirsty and will hence not end up buying large or super sized cups/bottles/refills. A hydrated you will also not go berserk at the snack counter.
- Hot coffee or tea, with a control on the amount of sugar you add.
- Flavoured milk or soy milk is also good. The amount of flavour or sweetener used may be over the top, but its better than drinking a soft drink any day. These beverages will at least dose you with Calcium or protein and not with gas and sugar like a carbonated beverage.
- Fresh fruit juices, made then and there and with less sweetening. Keep an eye for hygiene. Packaged fruit drinks are another option but remember here you cant control how much sugar has been added. Many are saturated with sweeteners.
Eats
-Vegetable (tomato/cucumber/etc) sandwich, which doesnt have either mayonnaise/deep fried filling or excess butter/cheese.
- A vegetable wrap or roll, stuffed with a potato (non deep fried like, baked) or veg filling.
- Boiled corn (unbuttered). Roasted corn (if available).
- Chicken sandwich or roll (minus mayonnaise, deep fried fillings).
- Cut fruit or fruit salad, minus ice cream and hygienically made.
- Roasted, unsalted groundnuts, go easy on the amount though.
- Bhel puri (a snack made of puffed rice and vegetables)
I would also suggest a trip to the Food Court prior to entering a Multiplex. You will find more variety and a less ravenous you would enter the movie hall. Remember, you are definitely going to get a chance to eat once you are out of the theater. Knowing that, the least you can do is control binging while in one.
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Movie time nutrition, Multiplex nutrition, Movie snacks, Movies, Bollywood, Hollywood
