Are you all Hunger Games ready? There are like 10 people going in my group tomorrow night! And when my family & friends go, we do one thing smart – pack our own movie snacks. Ladies, we don’t have big purses for nothing!
And if you do not bring your own snacks because you either desire the righteously expensive snacks as part of the ‘experience’, you feel guilty revolting against high prices or the movie option was a whim decision than you might want reconsider packing your own snacks.
Did you know that, according to Web MD, a large movie theater popcorn can pack a whopping 1,300 calories, with one to three days’ worth of saturated fat and up to 1,500 milligrams of sodium. And that large soda you like… up to 500 calories. Not to mention a crap load of sugar grams.
Do your health and your waistline a favor, bring your own snacks from home (not to mention you are helping to instill better values to those around you – like your kids). Here are 15 healthy alternatives to bring to the movies:
- Bottled water or club soda – lightly sweeten with fruit juice or Crystal Lite
- Homemade Trail mix – pretzels, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, and nuts
- Low-fat mozzarella string cheese
- 100 calories mini bag of popcorn
- Edamame or cherry tomatoes
- Red or green grapes
- Single-serve bag of Wheat Thins
- Apple slices with caramel dip (squirt lemon juice to keep slices fresh)
- Lesser Evil Krinkle Sticks or Kettle Corn
- Yogurt topped with blueberries and/or granola
- Single-serving hummus with sliced veggies
- Turkey Dogs (wrap in foil and go)
- Veggie Tortilla wraps
- dry cereal – Kashi or Cheerios
- Quaker rice cakes in Caramel Corn or Chocolate Crunch
Bringing your own snacks from home can save you (a ton of) money, taste way better, and is practically guilt free!
Question of the Day
What is your favorite snack that could be brought to the movies?
More Hunger Game stills can be found here.
About Christine McCarthy
I was just thinking about what I was going to bring to Hunger Games tonight! I’m thinking trail mix…:)
I love making my own trail mix! I think because I know everything is fresh! Have fun when you go! I’ve never read the books but am looking forward to it!
Christine McCarthy recently posted..Pasta with Lemon Sauce, Asparagus, and Sweet Peas
my theatre sells fruit salad and crudite; these are now my go-to.
Cat @ Breakfast to Bed recently posted..A Bourbon Nooner
The bigger theaters in my surrounding are definitely game with the healthy snacks now. So nice. But the theaters closer to me still don’t have those options. Still packing my own.
Christine McCarthy recently posted..Gardening Essentials: Square Foot Gardening
wow,nice job,you update so quickly!
Thanks!
I follow you on twitter!
get over anxity recently posted..Getting Over Anxiety and Panic Attacks Naturally
I just take a protein bar to the movies. Kind of boring but I take a store-bought one, not my usual homemade so it’s a treat to me! lol
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes recently posted..Of Jeans And Gender
I’ve also just brought my own popcorn toppings (like Nooch) and shaken the small bag with that to make the popcorn more exciting.
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted..The Top 3 Reasons I Love My Pressure Cooker
I’ve never tried toppings on my popcorn… but I am thinking parm cheese or cayenne would be good. Thanks for the topping tip. will need to try it out! Have a great weekend, Heather!
Christine McCarthy recently posted..WIAW: Lesser Evil Krinkle Sticks
I always bring my own popcorn (with some chocolate chips mixed in, of course!).
I’m a Reeses Pieces kind of girl.
My son got me hooked on that one!
Christine McCarthy recently posted..The Beach Sport Grill & Bar
Love all these ideas especially since they seem so relevant right now with this big movie coming out! Out of your list, the ones I have used before as my sneak-into-the-movie snacks are hummus with sliced veggies, yogurt/cottage cheese with blueberries, bottled water, and single servings of Wheat Thins or other comparable cracker/pretzel products. I’ve also been known to pack a whole MEAL from Whole foods. Sorry, not sorry!
CaitPlusAte recently posted..How I Spent My 23rd Birthday!
Right?! I agree on the sorry, not sorry. We pack turkey dogs and veggies and drinks all the time. I don’t have movie snacking $ to spend on a family of four there.
Christine McCarthy recently posted..The Beach Sport Grill & Bar
This is such a great post! I always sneak snacks in the theater, but never thought to bring edamame or cherry tomatoes. Awesome!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Roasted Garlic-Beet Socca Pizza
Thanks, Laura! I thought it was appropriate w/ such a movie coming out! I love bringing cherry tomatoes!. The burst in the mouth. And my edamame is usually still warm and salted because we live right around the corner to the theater.
Have a great weekend!
Christine McCarthy recently posted..Gardening Essentials: Square Foot Gardening
Oh nice list! Dunno how I’d get some of those into a theater now that I wanna go see a movie and take them with me. Oh well time to get creative.
Julie recently posted..Friday Food : Banana Pudding
Large Purse.
Men’s cargo pants. or a Big Sweatshirt w/ pockets.
Christine McCarthy recently posted..Pasta with Lemon Sauce, Asparagus, and Sweet Peas
I’m always sneaking snacks and water into the movies! Most of the times it’s things like homemade trail mix and nuts, but every once in a while I go with some straight up cookies or candy (it may not always be healthy, but it’s certainly always less expensive than the concession stand options!)
And I’m going to see Hunger Games tomorrow, too! I can’t wait!
Jess @ Floptimism recently posted..Thirty Minute Thursdays: Meal Planning + a Fauxtalian Grilled Cheese Sandwich
I love homemade trail mix. We hit Walgreen’s to buy 3/$1 boxes of candy. Compared to $4/box at theater. You are right, its not always good but way less expensive!
Have fun seeing Hunger Games tomorrow. We’ll compare reviews!
Christine McCarthy recently posted..WIAW: Lesser Evil Krinkle Sticks
Oh my goodness I cannot wait to see the movie tomorrow night! Super excited and thanks for linking to the other stills from the movie. You know, I don’t really snack at the movies. Is that weird? I used to when I was younger but I don’t now. I’ll usually bring water with me or get a Diet Coke. I know but it’s one of the rare times that I have a diet soda. Enjoy the movie and weekend!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Preparing for Surgery
As you mentioned, I bring popcorn, water, and string cheese! It’s like you know me!!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers recently posted..Grilled Potato Chips
Awesome snacks!! I will definitely be taking some of these with me when I go see the hunger games this week..I just finished the book this morning, YAY!
Saw Hunger Games today and thought about you! I had dry cereal and a water. Made for a great movie!