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 Salome

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If they eliminate popcorn, I'll wait for the dvd, and pop my corn at home.

By Jordan Gmach

Adding natural juices would be a good idea but removing popcorn is not. One goes to the moves to enjoy themselves and popcorn is not going to sink your diet. Besides what will happen with that apple core and banana peal? I think you can vision that! Not pretty.

By eddiemylove

No popcorn at the movies? Ok, we'll watch it at home. Screw the theaters.

By bassn55

Takeing away the popcorn , is like taking away the seats ...

By cookie

It's fine if they want to offer more healthful food choices but don't tell me I can't buy a popcorn if I want to. Who is that studio executive to decide if I can eat popcorn or not?? Are we too stupid to figure out that a large tub of popcorn slathered in butter and a 40 ounce drink for one person is not the right food choice? Everything in moderation. I for one do not want to eat an apple at the movies.

By Rukidding

R U Kidding, never buy the stuff (popcorn) Tired of being ripped off by Corporate America.

By George

I have the whole rest of the week to eat healthy, but not at the movies!

By Kevin

We go to the movies a few times a year. (maybe 4 or 5) When we go I look forward to the overpriced popcorn and soft drink. It is not an everyday thinkg nor do I get the hugo container. One bag between my wife and I. If I wanted a healthy subsitute I would go to the gym next door, drink overpriced water and eat health bars. Without some forms of gluteny there is no value of life. Realx have some fun and for God sakes stop over thinking everything!

By c1akoboy

Remember that Center for Science in the Public Interest wants to control/tax/monitor/charge for anything and everything we put in our mouths. They are basically the Food Police and have no concept of everything in moderation.. If they had their way, anything that isnt perfectly healthy would be taxed or illegal, similar to Demolition Man. Its good to have healthy options but not to be told/forced into eating what someone else deems healthy.

By bellaangel13013

I only go to the movies for the popcorn! Otherwise, I would just watch my Netflix movies at home on my big TV. I would not go to the theater anymore if they didn't have the popcorn, except maybe the 3D movies I can't see at home.

By Leila

I am glad somebody realized that. I was brought up in the former Soviet Union, Georgia, and remember that we were not allowed to eat anything at all in the movie theater.
I was shocked when I saw people eating in the movie theatre. more disgusting was seeing the place looking like a pig's sty at the end of the movie. I still can't eat anything in the movie-theatre or encourage my daughter eat. Once, out of peer pressure, we bought a small cup of popcorn, and three of us shared it. Soon, we all started feeling sick and had to leave the theatre.
Someone has to educate these people that you have to eat with your brain, not with your stomach. There is a saying in my country. You can choose your stomach be a bird or a pig.

By scout943

NO POPCORN?? ROUND THESE SCREWBALLS UP AND GET RID OF THEM!!

By Brian

OK, I'm all for eating right but unless you go to the movies every friggin day a little toxic popcorn isn't going to kill you. Everything in moderation ok. If you are like me going to the movies itself is a treat and so is a little "bad" popcorn.

By Mary Sue

Guess what - it's healthier not to eat at all while you're distracted because you'll eat too much. And eating too much healthy stuff is just as bad in some ways as eating too much unhealthy stuff. Overeating is overeating. So, maybe movie theaters shouldn't sell food at all! ;)

By chrisc

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For God's sake LET ME MAKE MY OWN DECISIONS. Just like health care, this nanny state, elites know better than you, tax the coke, no salt in restaurants, warning coffee is hot and big macs are fattening, you can't even smoke in your own back yard, we are the all supreme guardians of the public health (as Obama sucks on his cig) attitude is going to push people over the edge once and for all. I've had it. Get out of my life! Take the popcorn out and you've lost at least one family visiting your stupid theaters once and for all. I'll stay home and watch FOX news instead.

By Frank

This is the problem with arrogant, condesending, nanny-state minded liberals & progressives from the President to Hollywood & right on down the line. There is absolutely no difference in this popcorn story & how they approach things like the lightbulb! Here's a clue, morons: mind your own f-ing business. Offer both & WE will decide what, if anything, WE want. You want healthier options @ the theater? Fine. I really don't care what YOU digest. You want dim-lit-mercury-filled lightbulbs that are way over priced? Also your call. I really don't care what you do. But how dare you FORCE your sh*t on other people?? Just leave people alone & stop micromanaging our lives. From movie snacks to lightbulbs to health care & on & on it goes. Go f*ck yourselves.

By mich

Frank, WELL SAID! My thoughts as well!

By laontour

YOU SAID IT !!! They all need to shut up and resigne!!!

By cindy

As a child and now an adult, I choose which movie theater by the quality of the popcorn. I agree that it could be made in a healthier way with less artificial ingredents, but forget hot air, might as well eat cardboard. It's part of the tradition and should be portion controlled along with all fast food. There should always be healthy alternatives

By krauseron7

does anyone know how to contact these people via e-mail?

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