What's healthier, pizza or popcorn?

[Tyrant55]

Also, to the people freaking out about too much sodium...

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/myth-or-fact-salt-increases-blood-pressure.html

Or, alternatively, you could watch this video,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2Zgp8bJPA4&feature=plcp

Basically, while I wouldn't personally reccomend eating heavily salted foods all day long, a high sodium intake isn't going to cause problems in individuals who don't already have high blood pressure. Lowering salt intake can be beneficial for those suffering from high blood pressure, but in itself sodium does not cause high blood pressure. Also, the ratio of sodium to potassium in the body is more important, so eat a banana or something if you're worried.

And for those worried about general water retention with high sodium intake, homeostasis has your back. The body is very very good at adjusting to habitual intake of certain things, and as such you'll only really bloat up if you eat more sodium than you usually take in. Therefore, you will not bloat up from eating a lot of salt if you are used to eating that much.

Eating too little sodium is probably worse than eating too much in any case (It's important, folks), but everything in moderation I say.

 

[CrimsonBlaze]

It depends on what ingredients are put into these two dishes.

Pizzas that have certain toppings, sauces, and type of dough can be healthy, while lightly butter or no butter popcorn could also be healthy.

The portion size is also important, as pizza and popcorn can be healthy if in small portions.

 

[Altorin]

A recent study was done showing that the best breakfast foods were ones high in protein and carbohydrates. A nice meaty pizza is therefore one of the best breakfast foods; as it contains good amounts of both. Plus, it's more of a meal than popcorn....

Do you have a link to this study? I've heard bad things about pizza (like the pepperoni on pizza has a chance of causing cancer or some such)

If you put this much stock into the little trickles of nutritional science that are misinterpreted by the media then there's really nothing we can say to convince you of anything. If the FDA is ok with pepperoni, I imagine the cancer risk is negligible, especially considering the cancer risk associated with just going outside on a sunny day, or having an x-ray taken. Pizza will tend to have more fat, but also more nutrition, as it's more then just starch and butter. Pizza will contain protein.

It really depends on what you're trying to accomplish. If it's just to be overall healthier, eat either, and just live a healthy life. What you eat is often less important then how you eat. Your eating habits in general, and your penchant for exercise say a lot more then what specific item you had for breakfast.

Seriously, stop feeling bad about what you eat. Think more about the how. Slower, more variety, smaller portions. Eat either, you'll be fine.

 

[Quiet Stranger]

I honestly can't believe how popular this became, I was only looking for a simple answer and now it's spiraled out of control, also I already decided last night so this thread is useless!

 

[MortisLegio]

Well Popcorn is healthier if it's just the popped corn. It can also be filling if you drink water with it. Not healthy to eat for long periods of time but if you want something that will get you through til the next meal; it is an alternative.

 

[Shadowhawk77]

Popcorn is actually the healthiest food you can ever eat because it is actually naturally devoid of calories...so if you are looking for something to temporarily cure hunger(although blandly) dry popcorn will help you without stretching your wallet or waist-But if you put 1 thing on that it is all of a sudden the worst thing in the world because as a snack you feel like you can eat it forever but the amount of calories from whatever you added multiply based on how much you ate

 

[The Funslinger]

A recent study was done showing that the best breakfast foods were ones high in protein and carbohydrates. A nice meaty pizza is therefore one of the best breakfast foods; as it contains good amounts of both. Plus, it's more of a meal than popcorn....

Do you have a link to this study? I've heard bad things about pizza (like the pepperoni on pizza has a chance of causing cancer or some such)

Oh, everything causes cancer these days. In fact, saying the word cancer increases your risk of getting cancer. Probably.

 

[Atmos Duality]

Very good answer. I'll add that air popped popcorn with nothing on it is going to be much healthier than either option, but even with butter and salt it's not all that appetizing. I like to pop mine with corn oil, which is tastier than canola oil and cheaper than coconut or peanut oil. Any high smoke point oil will do in a pinch, though.

Air popped corn is yummy as long as it isn't kettle-corn. I hate sweet popcorn.

On the other hand, I'm the deviant who will clarify a stick of butter just for a (admittedly, large) bowl of popcorn.