Five points to chew on for this POP-ular, corny study snack

With finals coming up , many of us are preparing for the long nights ahead. For foodies, December offers a unique challenge – finding the perfect study snack, a snack that is light but filling, classic but not boring and, most importantly, easy to make. For me, there’s only one ultimate midnight snack for college students: popcorn.

1. Affordable and instant. Though a tub of popcorn may cost you $4 or $5 at the movies, buying a week’s worth of microwaveable popcorn at the grocery store is far cheaper than other more traditional snacks, like chips and cookies. With the variety of microwaveable popcorn on the market, whether you have a strong sweet tooth or have a liking for buttery or salty foods, this tasty snack can be popped to perfection in a quick five minutes. And, in those five minutes, if store-bought flavors don’t suit your taste, you can whip up homemade flavors using basic ingredients you probably already have.
2. Experiment with homemade flavors. Skip the bag of Flamin Hot Cheetos and melt a thin slice of butter and mix it with a little chili powder and salt to layer over the popcorn. If you are looking for a heavier snack, add in your daily dose of protein and lightly melt 3 or 4 slices of cheese over a bowl of popcorn. I find that pepper jack cheese and popcorn works the best, but if you don’t happen to have it in the fridge, thick cheeses like Colby and Monterey Jack work well too, especially with a dash of garlic powder. For the health-conscious, lighter seasonings like olive oil or brown sugar can make a plain snack more interesting without adding in saturated fat.
3. The health benefits abound. In terms of health, popcorn is a great snack, because unlike junk foods, popcorn is low in calories, sugar and it’s packed with fiber.  Without all of the seasoning, sugars, and oils, popcorn is essentially just corn kernels.
4. One caveat to keep in mind. Despite popcorn’s versatility and accessibility, there is one important downside that potential popcorn-enthusiasts like myself should keep in mind.  Microwaveable popcorn often has chemicals called perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. PFAS are in plastic, fabrics, famously in Teflon, and can be found in the lining of microwaveable popcorn pouches. Researchers worry that PFAS are toxic to our immune system, and they often considered an environmental threat even though, they are commonly used in manufacturing.
5. Easy solutions. The good news is that there is an easy way to get around, in my opinion, the only downside to popcorn –– air popping. You can find plain popcorn kernels at the grocery store, usually in the same aisle as microwaveable popcorn, and microwave them in a paper lunch bag for a few minutes.

Whatever your snacking preferences may be, if you’re searching for a light and healthy study snack to match your taste buds, look no further.