Movie Munchies
May 7, 2010 by Kathy McManus
With movie theater popcorn packing dangerously high amounts of calories, salt, and fat, Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton said in a recent entertainment industry speech that concessionaires should offer more responsible food choices in the fight against obesity. “By bringing healthier snacks into your concession stands, you would be helping our country meet an urgent public health need,” said Lynton, suggesting alternatives of fruit cups, granola bars, baked chips, unbuttered air-popped popcorn, yogurt, and vegetables with dip.
“Two for Avatar, a tub of cauliflower and a prune juice, please,” quipped an Irish newspaper headline in response, while the Word of Mouth food blog asked “Would you buy a healthy snack to eat in the cinema, or is half the fun of the flicks the terrible food?” USA Today reported that some Hollywood stars who heard Lynton’s speech “sounded off as if popcorn is a birthright.” “I’m not going to the movies without my popcorn,” proclaimed Sex and the City’s Cynthia Nixon. Co-star Sarah Jessica Parker vowed not to give up her movie popcorn either, admitting she sprinkles M&M’s on top. “If I can pour some kind of sugar over my bucket, I will,” she said. “It’s embarrassing.”
People view the movies “as a time to let go,” one theater owner told USA Today, adding that he might introduce trail mix, “but I’m not sure people want to substitute their tub of buttered popcorn for an apple and yogurt.”
Should healthy eating extend to the movie theater? If so, what snacks should be available for purchase?
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- in Entertainment, Health & Fitness
- in Blog
- about food, nutrition, obesity
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11 Comments
What do you think? Leave a comment
June 3, 2010 by Charles Haeffner
Number one do not bow to Washington DC. If you feel like you should offer other items try them. Just a simple thing such a bottled water I thought that would never catch on in Montana as we have great water in the western areas. During your evening movies your customers might want some other items such as Yogert or the like.
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June 10, 2010 by Bernadette
Oh I would LOVE this! Not that they should stop their usual junk. I think we could have a riot on our hands if anyone even considered removing popcorn from theatres. But they could offer some things for people to make some sensible choices. I would be thrilled with REAL butter instead of that yellow butter-flavored grease on my popcorn and iced tea instead of soda.
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June 11, 2010 by LG
I think the business owner should get to decide (what a concept) since in fact "the business owner' has to be responsible for the business and pay the bills. If the customers want popcorn then, the business owner can sell them popcorn. If the business owner sees more profit in selling yogurt or tofu at the theatre "fine". ANd anyone who believes they have the right to "regulate' what a restaurant or move theatre serves in terms of food? they should have to prove for one year they can make such a business "profitable' before being allowed to vote on the subject or have any say in the matter.
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June 11, 2010 by Babiche Slack
It would be nice to have alternatives to high fat and high calorie snacks. Air-popped popcorn, soft pretzels, trail mix, or other choices that would fit in better with our nutritional goals for ourselves and our children. We can not legislate healthly eating however, theater owners can highlight new offerings and gain new customers who were previously limited by diet and health concerns.
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July 3, 2010 by Lara
We need more healthy snacks! A find a new exciting healthy snack Organic and OU Kosher, Gluten Free, 100% Natural, 100% Real Fruit, Notting Added, Vegan, Peanut Free, Raw Food,Delicious. it is freeze Dried fruits CRUNCHY N YUMMY, I buy online and always cary with me, my grandchildren love it. visit there website http://www.crunchynyummy.com
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July 18, 2010 by C. Haeffner
People should be able to eat what they want. The Govt. doesn't listen to us so why should we listen to them. If we paid them like the loby people do they would listen to use.
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July 31, 2010 by Glen Eberts
No I would not buy heathier snacks, I don't buy the unhealthy ones. The prices are too high and I'm sure the prices on healthy snacks would be just as high. Probably higher, because after all they are healthier. Isn't that the way it always is???
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January 3, 2012 by JH
I agree. Healthier products are always more expensive it seems. If the healthy items that could possibly be in theatres are more expensive then the ones that are already there, I highly doubt anyone would buy them.
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August 8, 2010 by Phyllis Aussieker
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would love to see healthy snacks in addition to popcorn and candy.
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August 8, 2010 by Phyllis Aussieker
I didn't finish my thoughts I'd like to see veggies like baby carrots sticks,fresh fruit like apples grapes cherry tomatoes.Our country is so rich in many ways lets give the option for our parents to offer healthy movie treats. thanks
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June 18, 2011 by Reno
Youre the one with the brains here. Im watcihng for your posts.
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