Forget Popcorn; Executive Demands Healthy Treats at Movie Theaters - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-17-2010, 10:51 AM

Instead of hearing the rustle of candy wrappers, moviegoers may be interrupted by the sound of people munching on apples and carrots. Sony Pictures Entertainment Chief Executive Michael Lynton wants theater owners to put down the popcorn and candy and start offering healthier treats, the L.A. Times reports. While there's nothing quite like a bag of popcorn smothered in butter, patrons watching their waistlines would finally have nutritious snacking options. While some movie theater managers are open to the option, patrons seem more upset about the change to an age-old tradition.

During the annual ShoWest movie industry convention, Lynton presented a poll of moviegoers commissioned by Sony Pictures, which revealed:

• two-thirds of moviegoers and three-quarters of parents are more likely to buy healthy snacks at theaters if they are offered;
• forty-two percent of parents said they would buy concessions more often if healthy options were available; and
• sixty percent of parents said having healthier snacks in theaters would enhance their overall movie-going experience.
"I don't think giant tubs of spinach or broccoli's a good idea. And nobody wants to eat cauliflower while watching 'Spider-Man,' or drink a 40-ounce cup of prune juice," Lynton said.

Cynthia Pasquella, a board certified clinical nutritionist and holistic life and wellness coach, says Americans are constantly looking for healthier food options, and entertainment venues should offer healthier treats. "We have to be really careful about moving away from the concept of popcorn, chocolate and sodas cold turkey. Not many people are going to order a side of broccoli or a salad as they head into the theater," she tells PopEater. "Most of us associate the theater experience with buttery popcorn and yummy snacks, so the trick is to make these foods available in a healthier format."

http://www.popeater.com/2010/03/17/h...movie-theater/

MickeyMac · 03-17-2010, 11:22 AM

I heard about this. I am all for being health concious and even though I never go to the movie theaters, I think they should stick to their current menu. Movie theater popcorn is so not good for you, but its still good eatin'.

catlover79 · 03-17-2010, 11:37 AM

This is hilarious. They'd probably charge $10 for sprouts and $15 for a V8.

I worked at a movie theater for 6 1/2 years and will have to share this story with my former co-workers that I'm still in touch with.

sunshinefizzy · 03-17-2010, 02:53 PM

Well, lord knows when I'm at the movies I wonder where the fruit salad is

.

EmoJoe · 03-17-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

This is hilarious. They'd probably charge $10 for sprouts and $15 for a V8.

I worked at a movie theater for 6 1/2 years and will have to share this story with my former co-workers that I'm still in touch with.

probably...movie concessions are so overpriced! when i went to the movies a few weeks ago i paid $10 for a small popcorn and a small water...WTF?

OH Nuts! · 03-17-2010, 07:22 PM

I rarely go to the movies anymore and when I do I would sneak something in discreetly. I'll be darned if I'll pay $5 for a popcorn. I guess I might eat something healthy @ the movies but not too likely. Somehow healthy food & movie theatres just don't seem to go together

biffbronson · 03-17-2010, 07:43 PM

I'm suspicious of these polls, like the one reported here. I'm 45 years old and I've only been polled two or three times in my entire life on anything, and that was as to which politician I would support. I think a genuine, large-scale poll would reveal that people want to have fun at the movies above all. The rest to me should be left up to theater managers to try to meet their customers' needs. Poll schmoll! Moviegoers in Spokane may have different tastes than the ones in Kankakee, IL!!

Retro4Life · 03-17-2010, 08:26 PM

The thing that no one seems to be able to get anymore is moderation.

No, you shouldn't load up on hot buttered popcorn and pop on a regular basis, the same way you shouldn't go to McDonald's four times a week for supper.

But none of us are going to live forever, and I don't see how an occasional (once or twice a month) indulgence of snack foods is going to bring about the Apocalypse or send half the population to early graves.

I read once something that Dan Ackroyd said in relation to John Belushi's death. I'm paraphrasing here, but he said that we all come into this world as pure vessels, and as we grow older we all kind of choose our own poisons. No one is pure after birth. It's all a matter of perspective and moderation, and Belushi (like many others) just went way too far.

catlover79 · 03-17-2010, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunshinefizzy

Well, lord knows when I'm at the movies I wonder where the fruit salad is

.

I've heard of sushi being sold at movie theaters, but not fruit salad.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 03-17-2010, 09:30 PM

Um, sorry I go to the movie theater to be a fatty fat fat...and maybe to watch a movie I guess.

Really though, I MIGHT be willing to try healthier things if they were offered...if they were good healthy things. More options are always nice, as long as they keep the junk too. Nothing beats eating a whole bag of buttered popcorn and then wanting to throw up before the movie even starts.

Marvo301 · 03-17-2010, 09:46 PM

Movie theater popcorn is one of the best things about going to the movie theater. In fact with the kind of movies they make these days it's often THE best thing about going to the movies!

Fleet · 03-18-2010, 01:23 AM

Popcorn in actually a relatively healthy food if it's not loaded down with salt and butter.

It does have a lot of fiber, is low in calories and has little fat.

Lee · 03-18-2010, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fleet

Popcorn in actually a relatively healthy food if it's not loaded down with salt and butter.

It does have a lot of fiber, is low in calories and has little fat.

Yes, but there are not many people who are going to eat Popcorn with no
butter or salt. I also agree with Retro4Life that moderation is the key. This
is another case of Big Brother watching over us.

Zoneboy · 03-18-2010, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

Yes, but there are not many people who are going to eat Popcorn with no
butter or salt. I also agree with Retro4Life that moderation is the key. This
is another case of Big Brother watching over us.

Nobody said anything about not eating it without butter or salt. Tony just mentioned the fact that movie theater popcorn is loaded down with it. I love popcorn although I'm not really supposed to eat it. A little butter and salt is fine but the stuff at the theater is overkill.

Lee · 03-18-2010, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Nobody said anything about not eating it without butter or salt. Tony just mentioned the fact that movie theater popcorn is loaded down with it. I love popcorn although I'm not really supposed to eat it. A little butter and salt is fine but the stuff at the theater is overkill.

And I was not saying that the stuff at the movie theater was not overkill-
I agree that it probably is. Again, the point is that moderation is the key.

03-17-2010, 10:51 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Forget Popcorn; Executive Demands Healthy Treats at Movie Theaters Instead of hearing the rustle of candy wrappers, moviegoers may be interrupted by the sound of people munching on apples and carrots. Sony Pictures Entertainment Chief Executive Michael Lynton wants theater owners to put down the popcorn and candy and start offering healthier treats, the L.A. Times reports. While there's nothing quite like a bag of popcorn smothered in butter, patrons watching their waistlines would finally have nutritious snacking options. While some movie theater managers are open to the option, patrons seem more upset about the change to an age-old tradition. During the annual ShoWest movie industry convention, Lynton presented a poll of moviegoers commissioned by Sony Pictures, which revealed: • two-thirds of moviegoers and three-quarters of parents are more likely to buy healthy snacks at theaters if they are offered; • forty-two percent of parents said they would buy concessions more often if healthy options were available; and • sixty percent of parents said having healthier snacks in theaters would enhance their overall movie-going experience. "I don't think giant tubs of spinach or broccoli's a good idea. And nobody wants to eat cauliflower while watching 'Spider-Man,' or drink a 40-ounce cup of prune juice," Lynton said. Cynthia Pasquella, a board certified clinical nutritionist and holistic life and wellness coach, says Americans are constantly looking for healthier food options, and entertainment venues should offer healthier treats. "We have to be really careful about moving away from the concept of popcorn, chocolate and sodas cold turkey. Not many people are going to order a side of broccoli or a salad as they head into the theater," she tells PopEater. "Most of us associate the theater experience with buttery popcorn and yummy snacks, so the trick is to make these foods available in a healthier format." http://www.popeater.com/2010/03/17/h...movie-theater/ Attached Images
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03-17-2010, 11:37 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	This is hilarious. They'd probably charge $10 for sprouts and $15 for a V8. I worked at a movie theater for 6 1/2 years and will have to share this story with my former co-workers that I'm still in touch with.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

03-17-2010, 08:26 PM	#8
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	The thing that no one seems to be able to get anymore is moderation. No, you shouldn't load up on hot buttered popcorn and pop on a regular basis, the same way you shouldn't go to McDonald's four times a week for supper. But none of us are going to live forever, and I don't see how an occasional (once or twice a month) indulgence of snack foods is going to bring about the Apocalypse or send half the population to early graves. I read once something that Dan Ackroyd said in relation to John Belushi's death. I'm paraphrasing here, but he said that we all come into this world as pure vessels, and as we grow older we all kind of choose our own poisons. No one is pure after birth. It's all a matter of perspective and moderation, and Belushi (like many others) just went way too far.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

03-17-2010, 09:30 PM	#10
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	Um, sorry I go to the movie theater to be a fatty fat fat...and maybe to watch a movie I guess. Really though, I MIGHT be willing to try healthier things if they were offered...if they were good healthy things. More options are always nice, as long as they keep the junk too. Nothing beats eating a whole bag of buttered popcorn and then wanting to throw up before the movie even starts.
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03-17-2010, 09:46 PM	#11
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Movie theater popcorn is one of the best things about going to the movie theater. In fact with the kind of movies they make these days it's often THE best thing about going to the movies!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

03-17-2010, 11:22 AM	#2
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	I heard about this. I am all for being health concious and even though I never go to the movie theaters, I think they should stick to their current menu. Movie theater popcorn is so not good for you, but its still good eatin'.

03-17-2010, 02:53 PM	#4
sunshinefizzy Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 27, 2006 Location: Craptown Posts: 2,054	Well, lord knows when I'm at the movies I wonder where the fruit salad is .

03-17-2010, 07:22 PM	#6
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	I rarely go to the movies anymore and when I do I would sneak something in discreetly. I'll be darned if I'll pay $5 for a popcorn. I guess I might eat something healthy @ the movies but not too likely. Somehow healthy food & movie theatres just don't seem to go together

03-17-2010, 07:43 PM	#7
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,519	I'm suspicious of these polls, like the one reported here. I'm 45 years old and I've only been polled two or three times in my entire life on anything, and that was as to which politician I would support. I think a genuine, large-scale poll would reveal that people want to have fun at the movies above all. The rest to me should be left up to theater managers to try to meet their customers' needs. Poll schmoll! Moviegoers in Spokane may have different tastes than the ones in Kankakee, IL!!

03-18-2010, 01:23 AM	#12
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	Popcorn in actually a relatively healthy food if it's not loaded down with salt and butter. It does have a lot of fiber, is low in calories and has little fat.
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