SkinnyPop vs Boom Chicka Pop: Which Is Healthier?

The Short Answer

SkinnyPop and Boom Chicka Pop are nearly identical in their base ingredients. Both use standard popcorn, salt, and a vegetable oil to pop the kernels.

SkinnyPop is the slight winner. It contains exactly half the sodium of Boom Chicka Pop—75mg versus 150mg per serving.

SkinnyPop also explicitly uses high-oleic sunflower oil. Boom Chicka Pop's label frequently uses the dreaded "and/or" loophole, meaning you might be eating highly processed canola oil depending on the batch.

Why This Matters

Switching from microwave popcorn to bagged popcorn is one of the easiest health upgrades you can make. Most conventional microwave bags are lined with toxic chemicals. Is Microwave Popcorn Bad

By eating pre-popped snacks, you completely bypass the "forever chemicals" risk. Microwave bags are notoriously coated in PFAS to keep the oil from leaking through the paper. Pfas In Popcorn Bags

You also avoid dangerous synthetic flavorings. Bagged popcorn doesn't rely on diacetyl, the artificial butter chemical linked to lung damage. Is Diacetyl In Popcorn

However, both of these popular brands rely on seed oils to pop their corn. If you are strict about avoiding inflammatory oils, you will need to look at premium brands instead. Healthiest Popcorn

What's Actually In These Brands

Both brands pride themselves on simple labels, but the devil is in the details. Here is exactly what you are eating in their classic sea salt flavors. Is Popcorn Healthy

• Popcorn — A whole grain that is naturally high in fiber and antioxidants. Air Popped Vs Microwave
• High-Oleic Sunflower Oil (SkinnyPop) — A seed oil bred to have more monounsaturated fats, making it slightly more stable than regular vegetable oil. Is Skinnypop Clean
• Sunflower and/or Canola Oil (Boom Chicka Pop) — A major red flag for ingredient quality. Canola oil is heavily processed and often extracted using chemical solvents like hexane. Is Boom Chicka Pop Clean
• Salt / Sea Salt — Boom Chicka Pop contains 150mg per serving, making it significantly saltier than SkinnyPop's 75mg.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• Short ingredient lists — Three ingredients (corn, oil, salt) is all you need.
• Non-GMO certification — Crucial for corn products to avoid glyphosate residue.

Red Flags:

• "And/or" oil blends — This allows manufacturers to swap in cheaper, highly refined oils like canola when prices fluctuate.
• High sodium counts — Anything over 100mg per serving is unnecessary for basic popcorn.
• Sweet flavors — Kettle corn variations from both brands introduce inflammatory refined cane sugar.

The Best Options

If you are choosing between the giants, go with SkinnyPop. If you want a truly clean popcorn, look for brands using coconut or avocado oil instead. Is Lesserevil Popcorn Clean

The Bottom Line

1. Choose SkinnyPop over Boom Chicka Pop. You get the same crunch with half the sodium and a slightly better oil profile.

2. Avoid the flavored varieties. Stick to the basic sea salt versions to avoid added sugars and natural flavorings.

3. Upgrade to coconut oil if possible. Brands like LesserEvil offer the exact same convenience without the inflammatory seed oils.

FAQ

Which brand is better for weight loss?

SkinnyPop has a slight edge. Both brands contain 150 calories and around 15 grams of carbs per serving, but SkinnyPop's lower sodium content helps prevent water retention. Is Popcorn Healthier Than Chips

Do either of these brands have PFAS?

No, bagged popcorn does not use PFAS. These "forever chemicals" are specifically used in microwave popcorn bags to prevent grease stains during cooking. Popcorn No Pfas

Are SkinnyPop and Boom Chicka Pop organic?

Neither brand's original flavor is organic. However, they are both Non-GMO Project Verified, meaning they do not use genetically modified corn.

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References (4)

1. 1. sunflowernsa.com
2. 2. realgoodeats.ca
3. 3. tomthumb.com
4. 4. fortinos.ca