While any reduced calorie diet can lead to weight loss, a key for sustaining momentum is satisfaction with the eating program. "Most interesting to us was that even after eating SmartPop! popcorn daily for 12 weeks, people were highly satisfied with it and attributed part of their dieting success to the snack," said Kristin Reimers, PhD, Nutrition Manager, ConAgra Foods. "The simple act of seeing the large amount of popcorn in a 100-calorie serving helped study participants maintain their weight loss programs without feeling like they were on a restrictive diet."

The research study found that participants who consumed a 100-calorie portion of Orville Redenbacher's 94 percent fat-free SmartPop! Butter or Kettle Corn varieties every day for 12 weeks, as part of a reduced calorie diet with moderate cardiovascular exercise, lost an average of 13 pounds, reduced waist circumference two inches, lowered body mass index two points, and reduced body fat by two percent. At the end of the study, 97 percent of participants reported healthier snacking habits and 73 percent said that snacking on popcorn helped them feel more emotionally satisfied than their usual snacks.

This study is part of ConAgra Foods' ongoing research into the benefits of using popcorn as a smart snack choice for weight management. Snacking on popcorn is a simple dietary improvement that is a convenient and great-tasting way to help people stick with reduced calorie diets while also increasing their consumption of whole grains and fiber.

SOURCE ConAgra Foods, Inc.,