How many calories are in a bag of Simple Truth organic popcorn? A detailed nutrition diet analysis

November 7, 2025 •

4 min read

While air-popped, plain popcorn contains just 31 calories per cup, the calories in a bag of Simple Truth organic popcorn can vary significantly depending on the flavor and preparation. A single bag of pre-popped popcorn can contain hundreds of calories, while the calories in a microwave bag are even higher, making serving size and type crucial for a balanced nutrition diet.

Quick Summary

The total calories differ dramatically based on the specific Simple Truth organic popcorn variety and size, from pre-popped bags to individual microwave servings. Factors like added oils, butter, and cheese determine the overall nutritional impact of this whole-grain snack.

Key Points

Variety Matters: The calories in Simple Truth organic popcorn vary widely depending on whether it is pre-popped or microwaveable and what flavor you choose.
Pre-popped Bags are Calorie-Dense: A full 4.5 oz bag of Simple Truth organic Low Sodium pre-popped popcorn contains roughly 630 calories, while a 4 oz bag of White Cheddar has around 600 calories.
Microwave Bags Differ by Flavor: An individual 3 oz bag of Original microwave popcorn contains approximately 308 calories once popped, whereas a 3.5 oz Butter Flavor bag has around 462 calories.
Additives Increase Calories: The addition of oils, cheese powder, and butter flavoring significantly raises the calorie, fat, and sodium content compared to plain popcorn.
Popcorn is a Healthy Whole Grain: When prepared simply, popcorn is an excellent source of whole grains, dietary fiber, and antioxidants, contributing to feelings of fullness and digestive health.
DIY is Healthiest: For maximum nutrition diet control, the healthiest method is to air-pop your own organic kernels and add your own light seasonings.

Understanding the Calorie Differences in Simple Truth Organic Popcorn

Many consumers believe all popcorn is a light and healthy snack, but the truth is in the details, particularly concerning preparation and added ingredients. Simple Truth, known for its organic product line, offers several popcorn varieties, each with its own calorie profile. The total calories you consume from a single bag depend entirely on which product you choose—a small microwave bag has a different calorie count than a large, ready-to-eat bag. Reading the nutrition label is essential, as the total number of servings per container will determine the final calorie total.

The Calories in Pre-Popped Simple Truth Organic Popcorn Bags

Pre-popped bags are ready-to-eat and often a quick, convenient snack. The calorie count for the entire bag is a simple multiplication of the calories per serving by the number of servings in the bag.

Simple Truth Organic® Low Sodium Popcorn: The 4.5 oz bag contains 4.5 servings, with each serving of 3.75 cups (28g) containing 140 calories. A nutritional analysis reveals this leads to a total of 630 calories for the entire bag (140 calories/serving x 4.5 servings). This variety is lightly seasoned with sea salt and uses organic coconut or sunflower oil.
Simple Truth Organic® White Cheddar Popcorn: The 4 oz bag has 4 servings, with each 1.75-cup serving (28g) containing 150 calories. This results in a total of 600 calories for the entire bag (150 calories/serving x 4 servings). The addition of organic cheese powder significantly increases the calorie density compared to the low-sodium version.

The Calories in Simple Truth Organic Microwave Popcorn Bags

Microwave popcorn is sold in multi-pack boxes, with each individual bag representing a single-serving portion, though many people eat the whole thing. The listed nutritional information is based on the popped product.

Simple Truth Organic® Original Microwave Popcorn: A 3 oz bag, after popping, typically yields about 4 cups of popcorn. The nutrition information is based on a serving size of 2 tbsp (30g) unpopped, which is about 4 cups popped and contains 110 calories. A full 3 oz bag contains approximately 2.8 servings (85g total weight) of unpopped kernels, bringing the total calories for the whole popped bag to around 308 calories (110 calories/serving x 2.8 servings).
Simple Truth Organic® Butter Flavor Microwave Popcorn: A 3.5 oz bag yields about 4 cups popped, with one serving (2 tbsp, 30g unpopped) containing 140 calories. The bag contains roughly 3.3 servings (99g total weight), making the total calories for the entire popped bag approximately 462 calories (140 calories/serving x 3.3 servings). The addition of organic butter flavor and palm oil increases the calorie count compared to the original flavor.

Factors That Influence Popcorn Calories

The nutritional impact of popcorn is heavily influenced by what is added to it. Understanding these factors is key to managing your diet effectively.

Oil Content: Popcorn popped with oil is higher in calories than air-popped varieties. The type of oil also matters; Simple Truth uses organic sunflower, coconut, or palm oil.
Added Fats: Flavored options like the Butter or White Cheddar varieties contain significantly more saturated fat, increasing the overall calorie and fat content.
Sodium and Salt: While the Low Sodium version is healthier, other varieties contain higher salt levels. While salt doesn't add calories, high sodium intake can affect blood pressure and water retention.
Fiber and Whole Grains: Regardless of the preparation method, popcorn remains a 100% whole grain and an excellent source of dietary fiber, promoting satiety and digestive health.
Antioxidants: Popcorn contains polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that offers protective health benefits, such as reducing inflammation.

Simple Truth Organic Popcorn Calorie Comparison

To better visualize the differences, here is a comparison of some popular Simple Truth organic popcorn products based on the total calories per bag/serving.


Product	Bag Size	Servings per Bag	Calories per Serving	Total Calories per Bag	Key Additives
Low Sodium Pre-Popped	4.5 oz	4.5	140	630	Coconut/Sunflower Oil, Sea Salt
White Cheddar Pre-Popped	4 oz	4.0	150	600	Sunflower/Safflower Oil, Cheese Powder
Original Microwave	3 oz	2.8	110	308	Organic Palm Oil, Salt
Butter Flavor Microwave	3.5 oz	3.3	140	462	Organic Palm Oil, Butter Flavor, Annatto

Conclusion: The Bottom Line for Your Nutrition Diet

While popcorn is a whole grain and has inherent health benefits like high fiber and antioxidants, the final calorie count and nutritional value are heavily dependent on processing and additions. The calories in a bag of Simple Truth organic popcorn are not uniform. If you are watching your calorie intake, the pre-popped Low Sodium option and the Original Microwave version are the lightest choices, though still substantial if consumed in their entirety. For the healthiest option, consider making your own air-popped popcorn and lightly seasoning it yourself. This gives you complete control over calories, sodium, and fat content.

For more information on the nutritional aspects of popcorn and whole grains, consider resources like Popcorn.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-popped bags of Simple Truth organic popcorn are sold in larger, multi-serving sizes, so the total calorie count for the whole bag is higher. For example, a 4.5 oz pre-popped Low Sodium bag has about 630 calories. Individual microwave bags, like the 3 oz Original, contain fewer calories per serving but can still add up significantly if the whole bag is consumed.

For the healthiest option, you can purchase Simple Truth organic kernels and air-pop them yourself. This avoids the added oils and fats found in pre-popped or microwave varieties. You can then season it lightly with sea salt or other natural spices for flavor.

Yes, a 4 oz bag of White Cheddar pre-popped popcorn (600 calories) contains significantly more calories than a single 3 oz bag of Original microwave popcorn (approx. 308 calories). This is due to the added fats and cheese powder in the white cheddar version and the different bag sizes.

From a sodium perspective, the Low Sodium pre-popped popcorn is a healthier choice than other varieties that contain more salt. However, it still contains substantial oil and calories, so portion control is important.

According to the nutrition labels on Simple Truth organic products, a single serving is typically 28g to 30g. For pre-popped varieties, this translates to about 3.5 to 3.75 cups, while for microwave bags, it is usually 2 tbsp of unpopped kernels.

Yes, popcorn popped with oil will have more calories and fat than air-popped popcorn. Simple Truth uses organic sunflower, coconut, or palm oil, which adds to the overall calorie count.

Yes, popcorn can be a part of a healthy diet, especially when air-popped and consumed in moderation. Its high fiber content can help you feel full, which may aid in weight loss. The key is to be mindful of serving sizes and avoid overindulging in heavily buttered or flavored varieties.