Five Popcorn Toppings That Won't Blow Your Diet

Dieters have known the popcorn trick for decades. With only about 30 calories per cup of air-popped popcorn, it's a go-to weapon to keep in the weight loss arsenal. It would take a huge bowl of the hot, fluffy kernels to equal the amount of damage of just a small bag of greasy chips, with the extra bonus of being almost fat free.

But what happens when it starts to get boring? No healthy diet food will work for you if you've eaten so much of it that you can't stand to eat it any more. Luckily, with some creative thinking, there are plenty of low or no-calorie toppings that can make your favorite diet snack exciting again.

1) Cinnamon

If your tooth is feeling decidedly sweet, plain salted popcorn won't help you a bit. Add a dash of cinnamon and a sprinkling of your favorite sugar substitute and you can enjoy a crunchy version of a cinnamon roll that's easy on your waistline.

2) Hot Chili Powder

Some like it hot, and if you're one of them, you can kick your popcorn up a notch with a dusting of chili powder for a snack that satisfies your wild side. If you have a favorite blend of Cajun spices, that will work just as well, plus you'll drink more water, which is another diet plus.

3) Ranch Mix

One tablespoon of powdered ranch dressing mix only has about 5 calories. Add some to your fresh-popped popcorn and you'll swear you're munching on a bag of zesty sour cream and onion potato chips. The scale will know the difference.

4) Curry Powder

If you're adventurous and like ethnic cuisine, you'll love the taste of popcorn with an Asian twist. Use one tablespoon of curry powder per big bowl of popcorn, and add another of garlic powder or garlic salt. The combination tastes like Chinese snack food, and you'll find it highly addictive. Spice it up with a dash of cayenne if you dare.

5) Italian Seasoning

Rather than give in to a craving for pizza, just spice up your popcorn Italian-style. Any Italian seasoning blend will do, or mix and match your own by combining oregano, basil and thyme. A pinch of garlic powder makes it extra-authentic. If you've been good all day, you can even afford a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, but be warned that it will add an additional 22 calories a tablespoon.

The next time you're hungry for pizza, cinnamon rolls, potato chips, spicy snacks, or Chinese food, don't blow your diet. With the right low-cal toppings, popcorn can be all of these things and more.

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