Study: How bad is that movie popcorn

(UNDATED) - Movie theater popcorn gets two thumbs down.

A new study reveals the nasty truth about that movie favorite. Popcorn and the movies go hand in hand, and faced with candy or hot dogs it still seems to be the most nutritious.

But a new study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest finds the popcorn being served at most movie theatres across the country is loaded with saturated fat and calories, especially when it's cooked in coconut oil. If you add a soda it's over the top.

Imagine inhaling three quarter pounders along with a 1/2 stick of butter, well you're getting the same amount of saturated fat as you would in this medium bag of movie popcorn. If you add to that a soda, the study says that's 1610 calories, and 60 grams three days worth of saturated fat.

The study focused on the nations three largest theater chains, Regal and AMC which pop in coconut oil and Cinemark Theaters that use canola oil. Regal says its medium popcorn has 720 calories but the study says those numbers are understated.

Popcorn with canola oil is much lower in fat but still packs calories. A large popcorn has 910 calories with 4 grams of saturated fat. The butter flavoring adds 130 calories by the spoonful.

But don't think candy is any better. The study found eating an 8 ounce bag of Reese’s pieces is like eating a 16 ounce t-bone steak and a buttered baked potato.

Click here for information on the study.