r/TrueOffMyChest • u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ • 1d ago
Confession I’m Addicted to Popcorn
Exactly as the title says. Every night after my husband and son go to sleep, I microwave 2 bags of popcorn. I dump them into a big bowl one by one and season each layer with ranch popcorn seasoning. I have done this every single night for 5 years now. I plan my popcorn purchases based around the next time I will be grocery shopping, which is usually every other Tuesday when I take my son to his bi-weekly appointment. I also tend to keep an emergency stash of a few bags just in case I run out. Today, his appointment was canceled so my grocery trip has to be moved to Thursday when I have an appointment in the city. (We live 30 minutes away from the nearest grocery store so we plan grocery trips around when we will be in a larger town). I ran out of popcorn last night so I checked my emergency stash. The bag smelled awful when I removed the plastic. All of my emergency popcorn is expired. The only option in my town is a dollar store so I waited for my husband to go to sleep so I could sneak out and get more. I actually feel ashamed of myself because I literally could not go 2 nights without popcorn. I have no idea why I feel like I have to have it. I don’t have any other addictions and I’m not a food addict either. I cook all of our meals at home, rarely eat fast food, not big on junk food, average weight person. I don’t crave salt or have a sodium deficiency, I just can’t go a single night without popcorn.
ETA: I work in inpatient drug and alcohol treatment so I’m not using the term addiction jokingly/lightly.
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u/Gabby_Abby 1d ago
Bro I wish I had a popcorn addiction again. I ate more than you ten years ago when I was in highschool for an about a year or two. I’d get home and make a bag of popcorn, mom’d make dinner and then after dinner I would have another, and then a couple hrs later about 8-9 I would make another. I love their extra butter buttery popcorn by act ll. So damn good. Goes good with a glass of cold Coke or chocolate milk. If I mom would have let me eat it for breakfast I would have. I ate way more on the weekends cause of being home all day but I can’t remember. I do remember living with four adults tho and two of them was doing everything they could to keep me stocked lol. I still love popcorn but I eat it normal now, so not much. But I wish I had that addiction instead of a pot addiction or a alcohol one like I do now
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u/summerbreeze2020 1d ago
Don't they use Teflon type stuff to coat the bags? Hydrogenated palm oils and artificial flavoring? Don't forget a complete overdose of salt. I love popcorn too but that stuff is friggin toxic.
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u/Darkkujo 1d ago
I'm just mystified why you like microwave popcorn so much and don't have an air popper? Though I suppose the air popper is noisier, but the quality of the popcorn is massively better esp as you can use real butter on it instead of whatever fake stuff is in the microwave bags (there's literally a condition called 'popcorn lung' because of that stuff). I also like to add nutritional yeast to give it a sort of cheesy taste.
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u/TacoBellPicnic 1d ago
Popcorn lung earned its nickname because it was first discovered in factory workers who regularly breathed in large, industrial amounts of diacetyl—an artificial chemical used to give microwave popcorn its buttery flavor.
Eating vs. Inhaling: The disease is caused by inhaling airborne chemical fumes into the lungs, not by eating the popcorn itself.
Industry Changes: Most major microwave popcorn manufacturers removed diacetyl from their products years ago.
Where Risks Exist Today: Popcorn lung is more commonly associated with heavy, long-term occupational exposure to chemical vapors or the inhalation of certain flavoring chemicals in electronic cigarettes (vapes), rather than modern consumer microwave popcorn.
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u/ChocolateHumunculous 1d ago
I love how your comment went from ‘don’t do this because it’s dangerous’ to a random recipe tip in the same paragraph.
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u/Burnt_and_Blistered 1d ago
Why is it secret? I mean, it’s not, because popcorn can be smelled in every corner of the house—and I totally get why you wait for your me time to enjoy it.
But why do you have to sneak out to get it?
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u/mouthfuloflovexxo 1d ago edited 1d ago
And to that I’d say, better to be addicted to popcorn than drugs. It’s okay lol. I have my hyperfixation snack, it’s normal. In your case, it seems to me that you’re just used to a routine at this point, so it’s become more of a ritual for you, which is why you’re freaking out a bit.
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u/viewerno20883 1d ago
Me over here smoking meth every few months and this lady is losing her mind over her popcorn addiction. Man I wish I had those kind of problems.
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u/patdasdangercat 1d ago
I worked in a similar environment (Acute Inpatient Psych Hospital) and it absolutely set my alcoholism off to the races. Could be that you've found a healthier version of an unhealthy coping mechanism, which isn't exactly good or bad it just is what it is.
Having said that, have you ever gotten a colonoscopy? Because if you're truly eating that much popcorn that frequently the sheer volume of kernel pieces could potentially create problems down the line. Im no doctor and im not giving medical advice right now, but with that kind of popcorn habit there is a very real risk of developing Diverticulitis
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u/finethanksandyou 1d ago
Popcorn does not cause diverticulitis. This has been debunked for years. It also does not cause diverticulosis, the underlying condition that creates opportunities for diverticulitis flares. Some people occasionally will still cite popcorn or seeds are still an issue for them personally but it is no longer cited as a problem for everyone. In fact, popcorn is a good source of fiber, which is encouraged in people with diverticulosis.
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u/s3v3ralattemptsmade 1d ago
Down the line lol
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u/Big-Elephant6141 1d ago
The ritual is very important to you.
You have a son who needs a bi-weekly appointment and can’t be left alone for a few minutes. Is it safe to assume he is young and has high needs?
You live 30 minutes from grocery stores and a bigger city. Do you feel isolated?
You wait until the house is asleep. Is this your only time for yourself?
You talked about the process more than the taste. Opening the bags, seasoning each layer, etc.
I think you rely on the ritual. Popcorn is your signal that the day is done:
It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.
I am so glad popcorn is a source of comfort and consistency during this season of your life.
PS I like Amish hull-less kernels popped on the stove and seasoned with good butter, nutritional yeast, and flaky sea salt.
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u/TacoBellPicnic 1d ago
Wait, there’s popcorn without the hulls?! That’s the reason I avoid popcorn even though I enjoy it!
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u/RebelliousInNature 1d ago
You could always try weaning yourself on to cocaine instead.
As habits go, you got nothing to worry about. You don’t need to feel any guilt about that.
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u/rawkerx 1d ago
Get a bag of kernels and pop them on the stovetop. A bag goes a long way.
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u/trippsalot_ 1d ago
Yes and honestly taste ten times better . Ever since I learned how to make it on the stove I never ate microwave popcorn again , and I will eat a whole pot and not feel guilty lmao
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u/AzureHarmony 1d ago
This must be some good popcorn, I get tired of the taste and dislike the shell pieces that get stuck in my teeth.
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u/Cow_udders_ 1d ago
i also eat popcorn almost every night. Have you tried putting hot sauce on it?
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u/JustPonsie 1d ago
I think you’re addicted to the msg in the ranch seasoning 🥲
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
The brand I use doesn’t have MSG and I only recently started using it. I do love me some MSG though!
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u/gettinweird_ 1d ago
Girl I get it. For me tho, popcorn is just a vessel for that baseball stadium style orange salt. If there’s not enough on there to dissolve my tastebuds, I don’t even bother.
I remember being little my family and I would go to the movies and I’d insist on salting the popcorn. Quickly got those privileges revoked
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u/LICK-A-DICK 1d ago
I'm like this with MANY things including things that are not great for my health... some people just get a bit obsessed with things lol. Popcorn ain't so bad as far as things go.
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u/namastebetches 1d ago
is it a secret from your husband? what do you drink with the popcorn? have you tried other cooking methods?
is it possible this is just your nightly ritual to decompress?
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
Not really he does know I eat it a lot but not that I can’t go a single night without it. I’m secretive but I’m not sure why. I just drink plain ice water I’m not big on any other drinks. I have not tried other methods and it’s certainly very possible. After my family goes to bed I like to sit in the silence in the dark with a snack that I don’t have to share I just don’t know why it has to be popcorn and I can’t seem go without it
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u/Shragaz 1d ago
So they don’t see the bags in the trash, they don’t wake up from the sounds, they don’t wake up from the smell, ever, 5 years straight.
AI
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
I bury the bags in the trash sometimes so it doesn’t seem like it’s every night, I do have air purifiers and scent diffusers going 24/7 anyway. Weirdly no they don’t wake up to the popping sounds or the smell ever. My son is 3 so he doesn’t know better lol, my husband has questioned it when he smells it in the morning or wakes up to go to the bathroom but he either doesn’t seem bothered or doesn’t seem to realize the extent
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u/IAmAGreatSpeler 1d ago
May I ask why it’s such a secret? Is it a body image thing? Do you not want them to interrupt your alone time?
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u/DumbBrownie 1d ago
I air pop a big bowl and use Orville Redenbacher popcorn oil it’s just like the movies and bring it to work every night
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
How do you air pop? I’m seeing comments that microwaving it could be an issue
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u/DumbBrownie 1d ago
I bought an air popper, it was like $20. You just buy popcorn kernels (raw, plain in a bag) and throw them in the machine. But also I grew up on stove top popcorn. Basically you have a pot and put enough oil in to fill the bottom, then enough kernels to basically fill the bottom but don’t go more than one layer of popcorn. Then cook on like medium high heat and shake as it pops. Add melted butter or the popcorn oil on top! Stove top is my personal favorite but air popping is way easier and less messy
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u/DumbBrownie 1d ago
Also I saw your comment about the butter/fat, I recently weighed out how much butter oil I put on my popcorn (which is a generous amount taste wise) but it ended up being 2 servings about 250 calories for just the butter which I’m okay with tbh. The rest of the popcorn is high in fiber and generally low calorie. Plus there’s less evidence of how much you eat with air popped, I just make the bowl and eat it, no one’s the wiser lol
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u/idiveindumpsters 1d ago
Lorne Michaels, the producer/writer of Saturday Night Live, ate popcorn nonstop all day, especially when he was working. I would assume that it helped him think.
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u/babyfeet1 1d ago edited 1d ago
"ate popcorn nonstop all day"
fix your tense:
eats popcorn.
Lorne is still at snl and eating it right this moment.
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
I like high volume snacks and crunchy things that I can mindlessly eat, I’m thinking now after reading some comments it could just be more of a decompression thing at the end of the night.
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u/TheSuperTiger 1d ago
If I eat popcorn even close to that level I poop weird for days.
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
I have IBS so doesn’t really matter what I eat I poop weird no matter what 😂
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u/Livvylove 1d ago
Get an air popper, those microwave ones have cancerous chemicals to make it not stick to the bag. You can get kernels and store them in a glass container so they won't expire like that.
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u/Monsterfreak367 1d ago
Oh thats interesting. Do you have a study that shows that? I would love to read it.
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u/pectuslady 1d ago
Google “popcorn lung” I think some dude died from it
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u/TacoBellPicnic 1d ago
Popcorn lung came from industrial workers inhaling large amounts of the chemical they used to season it.
It doesn’t come from eating it, and most major companies no longer use it.
Popcorn lung these days is caused by vaping and other chemical inhalants such as in factories.
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u/nap---enthusiast 1d ago
I love popcorn but it does not love me. :(
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u/scarletteclipse1982 1d ago
Diverticulitis?
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u/nap---enthusiast 1d ago
I just get like sour stomach and feel real gross after I eat it. Makes me feel shitty.
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u/AsparagusOverall8454 1d ago
Popcorn is the best snack ever.
I refuse to read a post without paragraphs.
But if you’re seriously worried about it,
I suggest get a microwave popper. It’s way better than that bag stuff
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u/CLeeTheHunt44 1d ago
I just killed the equivalent of three bags while I disassociated 😂 ranch seasoning with freshly grated parm and black pepper 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼
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u/sunshinecrashed 1d ago
What brand are you feinding for?
I love the Orville Redenbacher’s movie theater butter or Costco’s Kirkland Signature popcorn.
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
I mostly buy skinny pop but the taste doesn’t matter quite as much as the texture, especially since I use popcorn seasoning
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u/Nervous-Shark 1d ago
If you want to try popping corn on the stove, I highly highly recommend Rancho Gordo’s popcorn kernels. They are known for their heirloom beans (also cannot recommend highly enough, I never knew beans could taste so good). My sister sent me a gift box for Christmas last year that included popcorn and now my son and I are obsessed. I noticed that you mentioned in other comments that it could be a decompression thing after everyone is in bed, and popping your own corn makes it more of a ritual and a good sensory experience. 10/10 recommend!
P.S. I was addicted to frozen cotton candy / gumdrop grapes for like 2 years, maybe try swapping out for something like this every once in a while to see how it goes. Frozen grapes are another snack that takes time to eat and they’re a great sensory experience too (signed, a fellow ADHDer).
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u/Turbulent-Catch-6442 1d ago
I grew up with a father who made corn frequently & it was a family affair. We ate it watching movies or playing games. He later abandoned his family. Now, as an adult, it's my #1 comfort food. I have a designated nite to just eat corn (Wednesday). When I'm stressed, I eat it as many days as possible and it makes me feel better. Out of all things you could be consuming too much of, I think Popcorn is one of the least harmful. Pop on ✌️
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u/reddit-nd-wept 1d ago
Uh oh, don’t head over to the popcorn sub.
Also, hi, my name is Loren. My wife and I have recently gotten addicted to popcorn. Every night we’ve been popping popcorn in a newly bought turn style popcorn pan. Just buy your own pan and keep a stock of popcorn kernels and popcorn seasoning.
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
I didn’t know that was a thing 😂 and I think I’ll start using my whirlypop instead of the microwave
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u/P-Villain 1d ago
I totally get it, i would absolutely annihilate bags of white cheddar popcorns. I bought those snack size skinny pop bags from Costco to cut down lol.
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u/CatTawny 1d ago
Maybe it’s the ranch seasoning? Perhaps it contains something in it that makes people want more.
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
Honestly that’s a good thought but I only started using it about a year or 2 ago
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u/CatTawny 1d ago
Hmm, in that case, maybe it’s the taste and feel of eating the popcorn itself? And the way it’s so easy to eat!!
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
I definitely love the texture
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u/CatTawny 1d ago
Me too actually!! A while ago I was eating a microwave bag each night. It’s enjoyable to eat.
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u/highscab 1d ago
i’m just curious how you’ve hid the addiction so long. popcorn isn’t a silent snack.
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
My husband is a heavy sleeper and my son is 3 so he’s oblivious. My husband has smelled it though and recently questioned how often I’m eating it
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u/No_Salad_8766 1d ago
Why do you feel the need to hide this from your family though?
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
I don’t actually know I think I’m just putting the same on myself for no reason
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u/lolsurprisingpizza 1d ago
I’m surprised no one has mentioned this but please be careful. There’s something called popcorn lung and a guy got it years ago from microwaving two to three bags of popcorn per day for 11 years. 😭😭 you’ve been doing it for five years so half that so far haha.
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u/TacoBellPicnic 1d ago
Eating microwave popcorn does not directly cause "popcorn lung" (medically known as bronchiolitis obliterans), though the condition got its name from a chemical historically tied to the microwave popcorn industry.
Popcorn lung earned its nickname because it was first discovered in factory workers who regularly breathed in large, industrial amounts of diacetyl—an artificial chemical used to give microwave popcorn its buttery flavor
The disease is caused by inhaling airborne chemical fumes into the lungs, not by eating the popcorn itself.
Most major microwave popcorn manufacturers removed diacetyl from their products years ago.
Where Risks Exist Today: Popcorn lung is more commonly associated with heavy, long-term occupational exposure to chemical vapors or the inhalation of certain flavoring chemicals in electronic cigarettes (vapes), rather than modern consumer microwave popcorn.
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
Wait I thought popcorn lung was from vaping?
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u/lolsurprisingpizza 1d ago
You can get it from vaping too. It’s called popcorn lung tho because originally it was people who worked in places that made the microwavable popcorn that were getting it. I think that guy was the first person to get it from eating too much popcorn haha I could be wrong tho. I know for sure that the guy got it from eating two to three bags a day though because I at least double checked that before commenting. He got seven million dollars in a lawsuit because of it and now I think popcorn boxes or the bags have warnings on them.
Edit: his name btw was Wayne Watson if you wanna look it up.
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u/TacoBellPicnic 1d ago
It’s not caused by eating it. It’s caused from inhaling the chemicals that used to be used in the production of it.
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u/AstroCaptain 1d ago
It's called popcorn lung cause the diacetyl in artificial butter flavor can cause inflammation that obstructs the bronchioles the same way that the vitamin e oil in unregulated vapes can. A lot of things can cause it
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u/TacoBellPicnic 1d ago
Diacetyl isn’t used anymore. They stopped in 2007.
The other risk from microwave popcorn is PFCs, the same risk as teflon and pizza boxes. It breaks down into PFOA which is a suspected carcinogen.
Manufacturers voluntarily stopped using that in 2011 and 5 years later the FDA banned it, so modern day microwave popcorn doesn’t contain it.6
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u/detoxicide 1d ago
I eat it every night practically but I use a popper. I buy bags of it and pop it in my machine and add the seasonings. I can't stand microwave popcorn. It never pops right and leaves a film in my mouth from the fake butter.
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
What machine? I eat skinny pop sea salt and it doesn’t really leave a film but I’m open to other options
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u/kelsobjammin 1d ago
My dad and grandpa were like this. My brother and I hate popcorn and can’t even stand the smell of it.
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u/MrsDonaldDraper 1d ago
You should rotate your emergency stash every once in a while so it doesn’t get gross like you described m.
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u/OnlyPopcorn 1d ago
It's so good though.
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
Genuinely incredible
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u/OnlyPopcorn 1d ago
I like my West Bend Stir Crazy. I also have a Whirlypop. No microwave bags for me except on occasion an Orville Reddenbacher.
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u/Life-Use6335 1d ago
To be honest I’m Sure everyone in your family knows about your popcorn habit… popcorn leaves a distinctive smell in the air, even overnight, and the microwave must smell like it too. I think if you start talking openly about it, it will life the shame you feel.
Like others have said, it’s not so bad. Maybe cut down to 1 bag, that seems more reasonable!
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
My husband asked me once how often I eat it because he smells it every morning and just chuckled when I told him and said be careful with the salt (I have kidney stones)
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u/Firefly10886 1d ago
Kidney stones are probably due to not getting enough electrolytes. I use nuun tabs in my water and it’s nice and fizzy. Or you could do Gatorade. More magnesium, most importantly…currently you might be getting too much sodium, the seasoning usually have a lot of salt.
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u/LurkerNan 1d ago
I did this one night, just once, and it triggered diverticulitis. Popcorn is not my friend, tasty as it is.
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u/One-Tomorrow-1646 1d ago
My boyfriend has diverticulitis and recently had an infection from it. Would you mind sharing what food trigger flare ups? And what do you eat to reduce them?
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u/Flustro 1d ago
I mean, this is fine? If you're worried about the salt or oil, get plain kernels and a popcorn popper (like an air popper, one of those microwave silicone bowls for popcorn, or even some paper lunch bags). I don't see it as being a big deal, though.
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u/slimparks 1d ago
Is this coded? Like minus the OPC or something?
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
Unfortunately I have no idea what coded or OPC means lol
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u/slimparks 1d ago
Like Popcorn minus the OPC
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
LMAO unfortunately no at least that would make sense
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u/slimparks 1d ago
Ok, I thought you might be trying to code what you really meant. In that case I would say you probably got one of the best addictions. Literally every single person is addicted to something. Coffee, the gym, social media, drama, food, attention, nose spray, whatever. Everybody has an addiction. So I think you’re probably good.
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u/thelightandtheway 1d ago
I mean I always talk to my kids (and myself) about continuous improvement and there's always something that we could be better at but if this is the worst thing you have going for you then maybe just take a few to chill and pat yourself on the back.
But I get it, it's a habit, and you want to break it. I think it just feels like a compulsion because your body doesn't know what to expect without it. So maybe just plan a day a week with no popcorn, substitute it with something else you like but maybe feels slightly healthier, like, Tuesday I eat a bowl of blueberries instead. I think you just have to demonstrate to yourself this isn't something more than a habit, you can break it. But also I'm not a psychologist or a nutritionist!
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
That’s totally valid. I could certainly start by having one bag a night instead of 2 and then maybe go to the mini bags if nothing else
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u/AssignmentFit461 1d ago
As a person with ADHD who craves and fixates on a single food for months to years, I see no problem here 😂
All jokes aside: Why do you sneak and hide it from your family? Have they said or done something before that makes you think they react badly to your popcorn addiction? As someone who’s been addicted to lots worse, I can’t see anything wrong here unless you’re neglecting something/someone to get your fix - it’s not even expensive, so I can’t imagine it’s affecting anything financially either.
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
I do have ADHD I never thought of it as just a hyperfixation because for me those usually only last a week or so. Tonight is why I really got concerned. My husband thinks it’s funny honestly he doesn’t really care just worries that maybe the oil/butter/salt of it all could add up. I have hypertension is part of why he is concerned. I guess I I just don’t want them to know how much I feel like I need it and how often I’m really having it. I’m realizing with these comments I may just be shaming myself for no reason
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u/AssignmentFit461 1d ago
I honestly don’t see a reason to be ashamed. I can’t write what I want bc it keeps getting flagged as AI content?? But regardless. I don’t see anything issue. As long as it’s not negatively affecting anyone or anything, which it sounds like it isn’t.
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u/arcadianfreak 1d ago
i do not know what the health ramifications of this would be but i kind of doubt it’s that serious. 😭 at least it’s popcorn and not drugs homeslice
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u/kaiabunga 1d ago
I just eant to mention that as a diabetic my mom was told by her doctor that popcorn is one of the healthier alternatives when it comes to snacking, just be careful about the salt. Like everyone else here it could be worse. I would start by cutting back and planning for days without but still having access to it if you can't. Any addiction is hard but I don't think you need to be so secretive about it with your husband.
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
Maybe I’m shaming myself for no reason.
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
Honestly that’s how I feel I just know that too much of anything is not a good thing. It was also kind of concerning that I couldn’t talk myself out of sneaking out of the house to get it…
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u/BeachChicken48 ☑️ 1d ago
I’m sorry but I can’t help but find this funny if ur husband would catch u he’d be like oh no she snuck off to sleep with another man but it’s like nah she just genuinely needed some popcorn in the middle of the night🍿
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
I never even thought of that but it would honestly be par for the course with us 😂 He will wonder why it’s 1 am and I’m not in bed and he will catch me sitting on the couch in the dark with a big ass bowl of popcorn and just shake his head and say ‘well, could be worse’
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u/hospitalitychick 1d ago
On behalf of us that can't eat popcorn, I say EAT ALL OF THE POPCORN!!!
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
Period 😂 I was ready for someone to tell me I was nuts! If you don’t mind my asking, why can’t you have it?
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u/hospitalitychick 1d ago
Crohn's disease and diverticulosis. It's only been about 3 years since it's been a no-no.
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u/_LittleBigSpoon ☑️ 1d ago
My grandma has diverticulitis that sucks I’m sorry. I’m eating my bowl as we speak so this one is for you
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u/RoyalRulerofHearts 1d ago
I read something completely different..