Forget Popcorn; Executive Demands Healthy Treats at Movie Theaters

By Amber James Posted Mar 17th 2010 09:51AM

Instead of hearing the rustle of candy wrappers, moviegoers may be interrupted by the sound of people munching on apples and carrots. Sony Pictures Entertainment Chief Executive Michael Lynton wants theater owners to put down the popcorn and candy and start offering healthier treats, the L.A. Times reports. While there's nothing quite like a bag of popcorn smothered in butter, patrons watching their waistlines would finally have nutritious snacking options. While some movie theater managers are open to the option, patrons seem more upset about the change to an age-old tradition.

During the annual ShoWest movie industry convention, Lynton presented a poll of moviegoers commissioned by Sony Pictures, which revealed:

• two-thirds of moviegoers and three-quarters of parents are more likely to buy healthy snacks at theaters if they are offered;
• forty-two percent of parents said they would buy concessions more often if healthy options were available; and
• sixty percent of parents said having healthier snacks in theaters would enhance their overall movie-going experience.

"I don't think giant tubs of spinach or broccoli's a good idea. And nobody wants to eat cauliflower while watching 'Spider-Man,' or drink a 40-ounce cup of prune juice," Lynton said.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest conducted a recent study and "found movie theater popcorn offerings range from 400 to 1,200 calories, with one to three days' worth of saturated fat and up to 1,500 milligrams of sodium. Make it a combo and add 300 to 1,110 empty calories worth of candy and another 150 to 500 calories from a sugary soft drink to wash it all down." Both Regal and AMC popped their popcorn in coconut oil, which contains 90% saturated fat, while Cinemark popped their popcorn in non-hydrogenated canola oil, which offers contained only a fraction of the saturated fat.

Cynthia Pasquella, a board certified clinical nutritionist and holistic life and wellness coach, says Americans are constantly looking for healthier food options, and entertainment venues should offer healthier treats. "We have to be really careful about moving away from the concept of popcorn, chocolate and sodas cold turkey. Not many people are going to order a side of broccoli or a salad as they head into the theater," she tells PopEater. "Most of us associate the theater experience with buttery popcorn and yummy snacks, so the trick is to make these foods available in a healthier format."

Pasquella offers up the idea of "air popped popcorn from non-genetically modified corn." But have no fear, chocolate lovers, there's a great alternative. "Dark chocolate that's high in cacao is delicious and packed with antioxidants but doesn't contain the same amount of sugar and harmful additives."

Cinema managers aren't weighing out the option -- especially if the demand is there. According to a TIME.com's Money Blog, movie theaters make 85% of their profit at the concession stands. According to the site, $30 worth of raw popcorn can translate into as much as $3,000 in sales at the movie theaters. "Whatever sells is worth bringing into the market," a Long Island Movieland Cinemas manager tells PopEater. "There are theaters already providing alternatives like air popped and unsalted popcorn or low fat butter... But it is all about demand."

PopEater readers were split about the new options and concerned about the concession stand cost. "At the prices they charge for crap food, I would hate to see what they would charge for a healthy snack. $50 organic apple, anyone?" Whitney Russell Odabashian wrote on PopEater's Facebook wall.

"I'd feel better about taking the kids to the movies with the healthier snack options," Pearl Ramirez wrote.

But others didn't want to give up the age-old tradition of letting loose and pouring on the extra butter. "The movies have been a place for kids and adults to go and enjoy a movie... enjoy a tub of buttered popcorn, a greasy hot dog, cheese fries, ice cream and all the gooey candies that one can carry to their seat," said Escabedo Carlos.

Pasquella challenges those opposed to not be afraid to experiment and remain open-minded. "I will often switch clients from their favorite foods to a healthier version, and they actually like the taste of the healthier version better ... As long as we don't try to drastically [alter] the theater experience and stick to offering healthier versions of the foods people are used to, there is a great chance they will choose the healthier options," Pasquella advises.

Comments

(490)

Saturday 20 March

By ed

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isnt it amazing that they tell us about ,dictate to us about what to eat but dont say nothing about the prtez ,adolph obama, smoking in the white house

By Lauren

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Ah, but The U.S. IS turning into the former SOviet Union!! Have you not noticed? I am not lying. We are well on the way!

By Donna

This is getting so ridiculous!!! Last time I checked, I was an adult, not a child!! Provide both types of snacks, offer the nutritional value and LET THE CONSUMER DECIDE WHAT HE/SHE WANTS TO EAT!!!! We don't need the food police dictating what we can and can't have!

By L

I will not go to the movies without POPCORN

By iLovePopcorn

lmao!! I wont either.

By Chad

Are you serious? While eliminating the snacks at the cinemas, are you also going to eliminate every fast food chain around the country? Give me a f#*#ing break. Some prick gets a hair up his butt and we all have to suffer? I don't think anyone will have to worry about what the healthy food will cost, I don't think people will even go see a movie in the cinemas anymore, I know I won't.

By PG

How about butt out of our lives. Hollywood is really so full of themselves. It's not enough they tell us who we should vote for now they re going to save us from ourselves. What a socialist idea!

By rasputin

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I don´t usually read these blogs, but I did this time because I knew there was going to be the perennial idiot right winger who would bring "socialism" into this debate. I was not disappointed.

By Jo

I am actually replying to Rasputin:
Look around you Ostrich. You've got politicians taxing cigarettes to death (no pun intended) but not the wine and booze they suck down by the gallon, Feinstein heads a gun ban in San Francisco then gets caught with a concealed weapon, city governments(!) forcing fastfood/restraunt owners to eliminate transfats and a President & his party shoving a healthcare plan the majority of "the people" are loud & clear against.
These are just the 4 that pop into my head instantly. There's hundred even more diverse examples of control of our simple daily decisions, lives & bodies being taken away from us slowly but surely if you just watch the news or read the paper.
Now you tell me, when people with power/control inflict their personal peeves/likes/dislikes whether bad or "good for you" on those without the power, over our own bodies even, just what would you call it? You don't think places like Russia or China didn't start out this way? Change your screen name to Ostrich 'cause brother you be one!

By wcompumike

You have to ask, Why not just offer both alternitives? why a vendetta against foodstuff some people enjoy?

By mjsjr52

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

If people continue to seek high fat, high salt foods and insist on eating them whil they are sitting on their fat asses (not everyone I clearly admit) we will be doing nothing to address our obesity issues as a country.

The only problem I have with healthier, chrunchier foods is certainly not the taste but the NOISE, could be a real problem. We're assuming everyone will remember the lesson to chew with their mouths closed - ain't going to happen.

By redconvoy

That is an invalid argument because the movie theatres are not mkaing people fat. It's what they eat on a daily basis. I go to the movies once every three months. I have not gained ten pounds from it the next day. It should be up to the consumer of what they want, although if they offer alternatives, they may want to keep the restrooms cleaner than they do because a lot of people will be using them if they eat veggies or juice. Oh, and juice is not a healthier alternative to soda because it is loaded down with sugar as well.

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

um....like the rest of us are saying, it is not for society or anyone else to decide what i, or you or what anyone else consumes. ....as far as "addressing" the issue as a country, hey....there are PLENTY of healthy foods out there people, so if you are conscious for your own health then there ya go but mind your own damn business and stop watching what everyone else is eating.

By Nancy Ledger

A movie without POPCORN? Forget it! They go together like Peanut butter and Jelly! Just add the veggies and leave the popcorn alone!

By Gary

With television technology advancing by leaps and bounds and cheap movie rentals through Red Box and Netflix, theaters are about dead anyway. This idea will just about finish them for good. If people want carrots and apples, why would they pay ridiculous prices for them at a theater and wonder how long they've been sitting around instead of just bringing them from home? Why do these people keep trying to change time tested traditions. This guy obviously has more dollars than sense. Hey here's an idea, why doesn't he just change the flavor of Coca Cola? Oh wait, they already tried that one and we all know how that worked out for them.

By kya

Take away everything that I grew up with! Going to the movies and eating popcorn was the thing to do when I was a kid. Walking with your friends everywhere and not afraid that someone would kidnap you or kill you. I could go outside at night and look in the sky at all the stars, now all I see are lights! Now all I see are cell phones and kids wearing their pants below their azzes!

By Carol

It's not like we go to the theater every day...If they want to offer alternative foods, that's fine, but they don't need to eliminate the popcorn!! My daughter loves that part of the moviegoing experience!!

By Linda

if your gonna clean up the food, then clean up the movies...too
leave it alone...

By Gustavo

Pop Corn is not the problem is that cheap crappy oil is cooked on.

By Brian

Soda and popcorn are theBIG money makers at theaters. They made add other "healthy" food at exhobitant prices, if they can profit from it like popcorn. Problem is , who want to pay 4 to 5 dollars for an apple, when those things can always be brougtht in. As yet, thay don't do purse check at the theater, so bring your own "healthy " snacks.

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