SHAPE UP
At the movies, you're rated PiG

By Charles Stuart Platkin

There's nothing like a nice box of Raisinets and a big tub of popcorn, right? After all, don't those Raisinets have "30 percent less fat?" And didn't they change the popcorn oil to make it more healthful?

About 10 years ago, the Center for Science in the Public Interest came out with the surprising news that going to the movies can pack on the pounds.

We learned that movie popcorn is, in fact, very high in calories and fat — much higher than we thought.

Regrettably, according to the center, currently only two theater chains — Century and GKC — use a heart-healthy, unhydrogenated canola oil to prepare popcorn.

These days, a large popcorn with butter, soda and a bag of candy could add up to as much as 2,500 calories and more than three days' worth of saturated fat.

Even if you go to the movies only once a month, you could gain as much as 8 1/2 pounds a year.

If it's so bad, why do we eat so much when we go to the movies?

"Something happens when the lights go off. It's unexplainable. I've seen people who have obviously just come from the gym sit down and eat a big popcorn and oversized candy," says Dan Griesmer, director of concession operations for Loews Cineplex.

Here are tips for brave audience members ready to break the concession stand "addiction" cycle:

Eat before

What a novel idea! Stuff yourself with low-calorie healthful foods before you actually go to the movies so you just can't eat another bite.

The best of the worst

If you must eat at the concession stand, focus on limiting the total calories of the food or candy.

It's misleading to just look at the calories per serving on the food label — how many of us actually count out one serving and put the rest away? In all likelihood, you'll eat the whole package, no matter how many people you say you're going to share it with.

Just take a look at the movie-size version of Reese's pieces (8 oz.), which has a whopping 1,200 calories, 60 grams of fat and 138 grams of carbs.

How about those Twizzlers? They look tempting with their claim "As Always, a Low Fat Candy," but the six-ounce package holds 600 calories, 4g fat and 136g carbs.

And that bag of Skittles might look like a healthier option with only two grams of fat per serving, but the 6.75 oz bag has 765 calories, 9g fat and 166.5g carbs.

If none of these suggestions work, consider one reader's thoughts on the subject:

"Why can't we try to shut our mouths for 120 minutes, instead of stuffing our faces at every possible opportunity? Who wants to listen to a hundred people scarfing chips, popcorn, or baby carrots for that matter? I'd prefer to sit in the peace and quiet of my home rather than listen to this massive feeding orgy, personally."

Charles Stuart Platkin is a syndicated health, nutrition and fitness columnist. Write to info@thedietdetective.com.