Movie buffs, are you eating healthy at the theatre?

There are ways to avoid or reduce the amount of mindless eating at the movies.

By: Sweta Uchil-Purohit | | Updated: December 10, 2015 2:06 pm

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Be it at home or a multiplex, watching movies without a tub of popcorn is next to impossible. It gets even better with a soft drink, isn’t it? But what we don t realise is the amount of calories we add within those two-three hours. While controlling the habit of binging is easier at home, there s no choice but to buy those overpriced unhealthy snacks sold by the multiplexes. Nutritionist Sweta Uchil-Purohit tells us how to choose wisely when buying snacks at the theatre. Bachelors rejoice! Here s a guide to eating healthy (Gallery) Also Read - Eating out amidst COVID-19 pandemic: This is what you should keep in mind

Here s a quick look at the approximate calorie count of some of the popular snack combinations sold at movie theatres:

Snacks	Calories (approx)
2 vada pav + soft drink	670
Veg burger + soft drink	530
Chicken sandwich + soft drink	460
Veg grilled sandwich + soft drink	450
2 samosas + soft drink	440
Potato chips (small) + soft drink	315
Butter popcorn (tub) + soft drink	320
Caramel popcorn + soft drink	330
Nachos (1 bowl) + iced tea	405

If you look at the calories, some of the snacks have almost as many calories as an entire meal! If this leaves you wondering what to do, just keep in mind that the star of the outing is the movie. The snacks and the drinks are just add-ons that contribute to mindless eating (eating food without actually paying attention to what and how much is being eaten). Here are 9 low-calorie foods that can keep you in shape.

That being said, there are ways to avoid or reduce the amount of mindless eating at the movies:

Eat a small snack/dinner before the movie: A bowl of fruits, chana chaat, homemade soup or proper meals are great to fill you up. Chances are that if you are already full, then you won t be tempted to overeat on the snacks.

Pick a snack to share: Nothing better than sharing the calories. Popcorn is always great to share keep passing on the tub so that you end up consuming lesser calories. You can buy smaller packets of snacks if there are less people to share with. Pack your desktop snacks right with these easy tips!

Avoid aerated drinks: Drink water or fresh juice without sugar. Iced teas, bottled juices and aerated drinks sold at multiplexes are loaded with sugar, so avoid ordering them unless you have people to share it with. 10 healthy and cooling summer drinks to beat the heat.

Check if you can get made-to-order snacks: Grilled sandwich without the butter or mayo, steamed corn without the dollop of butter, plain popcorn instead of the cheese or caramel flavours, lime juice with 2 tsp sugar (or a dash of salt), fruit chaat without the honey, cream or sugar – are all tricks to reduce the number of calories. 12 ways to eat healthy at a Chinese restaurant.

Recommended snacks	Calories (approx)
Steamed corn (no butter) 1 cup	130
Grilled tomato sandwich (no butter/mayo)	170
Plain popcorn (1 cup)	64
Lime juice (2 tsp sugar)	60
Fruit chaat (no sugar/honey)	100
Plain nachos (4-6 nachos) + salsa	135

Choose the lesser evil: In case you are left with no choice, then pick the snack with the least number of calories and share it.

Even though Bollywood movies are longer and last up to two-and-a-half to a good three hours, just remember that nobody has till date starved to death at the theatre. You can always grab a healthy bite after the movie.

Image source: Getty Images

Published : April 22, 2015 2:19 am | Updated:December 10, 2015 2:06 pm

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