Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
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HAPPY NATIONAL POPCORN DAY!
Did you know that most of the popcorn consumed throughout the entire world is grown right here in the United States? Although world-wide sales of popcorn are steadily increasing, Americans consume more popcorn than the citizens of any other country!
Back in the 1890’s until the Great Depression, street vendors used to follow crowds around, pushing steam or gas-powered poppers through fairs, parks and expositions selling popcorn. During the Depression, popcorn was one of the few luxuries down-and-out families could afford considering it was 5-10cents a bag. While other businesses were failing, the popcorn industry thrived.
Americans consume 16 billion quarts of popped popcorn annually – or 52 quarts per man, woman and child. It’s one of the most wholesome and economical foods available, and one of the healthiest snack options available. Approximately 70% of that popcorn is eaten in the home! The remaining 30% is consumed in theaters, stadiums, schools, etc.
Popcorn is a whole grain, and is made up of three components: the germ, endosperm and pericarp. Compared to most snack foods, popcorn is low in calories. Air-popped popcorn has only 31 calories per cup and oil-popped only 55 per cup!
Can you guess what the major popcorn producing states are? New York and Massachusetts aren’t in the list, unfortunately, but the 9 US states that produce the most popcorn are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska and Ohio!
Here’s a fun fact: If you made a trail of popcorn from New York City to Los Angeles, California, you would need more than 352,028,160 popped kernels!
Although popcorn is a healthy snack choice, it can be a nightmare for your oral health! Don’t forget to brush and especially floss after eating popcorn! Additionally, if you have braces, be careful! Kernels are known to snap brace wires and get caught between your brackets. You don’t have to avoid popcorn completely; just remember to stay on top of your oral health practices!
For more fun facts about popcorn including delicious recipes, activities and nutrition facts, visit Popcorn.org.
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