Energy
upper quarter531 kcalthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 496 kcal
- Middle 50%
- 429–522 kcal
Based on 23 records reporting energy.
Snacks & dessertshigher variability
Popcorn, ready-to-eat, kettle calories: 186 per 35 g
This exact USDA record reports 186 calories for 35 g. That answer belongs to this description and weight; it is not a universal value for every meal that shares the name.
Quick facts
USDA reference amount · 35 g
- Calories
- 186 kcal
- Protein
- 1.9 g
- Carbohydrate
- 21.4 g
- Total fat
- 10.6 g
- Fiber
- 2.1 g
- Sodium
- 173 mg
Portion calculator
Estimate your portion
Choose a source measure or enter the weight you ate.
Estimated for 35 g
186calories
Popcorn, ready-to-eat, kettle
- Protein
- 1.9 g
- Carbs
- 21.3 g
- Fat
- 10.6 g
— means the source has no value available.
These values scale the selected reference food by weight. Ingredients, preparation, and portion size can change your meal’s estimate.
Nutrition facts, household measures, preparation notes and USDA sources
The editorial read
The useful answer has a weight, a composition, and an identity
Portion: the cited record reports about 186 calories for USDA reference amount at 35 grams. On a fixed-weight basis, the same record contains 531 calories per 100 grams. The first number answers a portion question; the second answers a concentration question.
Composition: that source amount also reports 1.9 g protein, 2.1 g fiber, and 173 mg sodium. Read those values together: a calorie total by itself cannot describe the nutrient profile.
Identity: the largest listed formulation input is snacks, popcorn, air-popped, representing 42.3% of the record’s listed input weight. The record contains 4 source-input rows in all. These are provenance for a standardized calculation, not a recipe for your plate.
The reference amount and 1 small bag answer different portion questions. Their values are scaled independently from the same per-100-gram source record.
The household measures attached to this record span roughly 1–451 calories across the listed portions. That is a set of scaled examples—not a confidence interval, a recommendation, or a claim about the full universe of recipes.
Calculated from the smallest and largest usable household measures listed by USDA for this exact FNDDS record; not a confidence interval.
Record-specific decision brief
What the numbers say—and what choice still belongs to you
This analysis belongs to USDA FDC 2708238: “Popcorn, ready-to-eat, kettle.” It separates gram-weight arithmetic, corpus context, label signals, and record selection so one number does not have to answer four different questions.
01 · Portion arithmetic
Three weights, one fixed composition
For FDC 2708238, each row multiplies the published per-100-gram values by its stated weight. “1 kernel” through “1 large single serving bag” are weight scenarios: named measures come from USDA, while percentage labels are transparent arithmetic.
| Scenario | Weight | Energy | Protein | Fiber | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kernelUSDA-listed household measure | 0.2 g | 1 kcal | 0 g | 0 g | 1 mg |
| 1 small single serving bagUSDA-listed household measure | 28 g | 149 kcal | 1.5 g | 1.7 g | 139 mg |
| 1 large single serving bagUSDA-listed household measure | 85 g | 451 kcal | 4.7 g | 5.2 g | 421 mg |
02 · Fixed-weight context
Where 100 grams sits inside Popcorn
The comparison set contains 23 exact records in the Popcorn USDA category. Here, “upper quarter” describes FDC 2708238’s energy position in that corpus—not nutritional quality, desirability, or a health rating.
Protein
lower quarter5.5 gthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 9.1 g
- Middle 50%
- 7–10.7 g
Based on 23 records reporting protein.
Dietary fiber
lower quarter6.1 gthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 10.2 g
- Middle 50%
- 8.4–11.9 g
Based on 23 records reporting dietary fiber.
Sodium
middle half495 mgthis record per 100 g
- Corpus median
- 601 mg
- Middle 50%
- 398–764 mg
Based on 23 records reporting sodium.
03 · FDA label lens
The strongest strength-side and tradeoff-side signals
At FDC 2708238’s 35 g reference weight, the largest strength-side percentage among the nutrients evaluated here is Dietary fiber; the larger tradeoff-side percentage is Sodium. Percentages use FDA label Daily Values, whose general “high” guide begins at 20% Daily Value. This is not an overall score or a personalized target.
Strength-side signals
Dietary fiber2.1 g
≈ 8% DV. This does not cross the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
Magnesium21 mg
≈ 5% DV. This does not cross the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
Tradeoff-side signals
Sodium173 mg
≈ 8% DV. This does not cross the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
Saturated fat1.4 g
≈ 7% DV. This does not cross the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.
04 · Highest-impact checks
The three levers most worth resolving first
For “Popcorn, ready-to-eat, kettle,” the first-pass checks follow the evidence actually published: its named weights, the FDC 2708232 alternative, and its source-formulation identity.
- 01
Listed portion span: 1 kernel to 1 large single serving bag
USDA assigns those measures 0.2 g and 85 g. At this record’s fixed composition, scaled energy moves from 1 kcal to 451 kcal.
- 02
Record choice: compare with FDC 2708232
At an equal 100 g, this record has 5.3 g less dietary fiber than “Popcorn, ready-to-eat, plain.” That is a record-level contrast; it does not identify which ingredient caused the difference.
- 03
Formulation anchor: Snacks, popcorn, air-popped
The source formulation has 4 input rows; Snacks, popcorn, air-popped supplies 42.3% of listed input weight. Those are standardized formulation inputs, not final plated percentages.
05 · Exact-record choice
Select by literal evidence, not the shortest name
Keep this record when “ready-to-eat; kettle” fits. Inspect FDC 2708232 when “ready-to-eat; plain” is the more literal description of the food and preparation.
Keep this profile when these fields fit
Popcorn, ready-to-eat, kettle
- Exact source wording
- “Popcorn, ready-to-eat, kettle”
- Source identity
- USDA FDC 2708238 · FNDDS 54403089
- Named qualifiers
- ready-to-eat · kettle
- Source inputs unique in this pair
- Sugars, granulated
Inspect this alternative when its fields fit better
Popcorn, ready-to-eat, plain
- Exact source wording
- “Popcorn, ready-to-eat, plain”
- Source identity
- USDA FDC 2708232 · FNDDS 54403081
- Named qualifiers
- ready-to-eat · plain
Choose the closest description
Which USDA record fits your meal?
Treat the long description as data. The phrases doing the most work here are “ready-to-eat” and “kettle”. Match those details first; then compare the database weight with the amount you mean.
On smaller screens, focus a nutrition table and scroll horizontally to read every column.
| Exact record | Source serving | Calories / 100 g | Protein / 100 g | Fat / 100 g | Fiber / 100 g | Sodium / 100 g |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This recordPopcorn, ready-to-eat, kettle | 35 g186 kcal | 531 kcal | 5.5 g | 30.2 g | 6.1 g | 495 mg |
| Popcorn, ready-to-eat, plain | 28 g135 kcal | 482 kcal | 10.2 g | 23.3 g | 11.4 g | 616 mg |
| Popcorn, ready-to-eat, butter flavored | 35 g186 kcal | 530 kcal | 8.9 g | 32.5 g | 10 g | 764 mg |
| Popcorn, ready-to-eat, cheese flavored | 35 g184 kcal | 526 kcal | 9.3 g | 33.2 g | 9.9 g | 889 mg |
| Popcorn, ready-to-eat, low sodium | 28 g136 kcal | 486 kcal | 10.3 g | 23.4 g | 11.5 g | 313 mg |
| Popcorn, ready-to-eat, plain, light | 28 g122 kcal | 437 kcal | 11.3 g | 14.9 g | 12.7 g | 600 mg |
| Popcorn, ready-to-eat, flavored, light | 28 g122 kcal | 435 kcal | 11.3 g | 14.8 g | 12.6 g | 766 mg |
How to compare FDC 2708238: its source amount is 35 g; every 100-gram column removes portion size from the record-to-record comparison. Neither denominator determines your plate’s weight or recipe.
Household measures
Compare listed portions
For FDC 2708238, the 6 displayed measures scale the same source composition by gram weight; rounding changes presentation, not the underlying ratio.
1 cup
74 kcal
14 g
1 small single serving bag
149 kcal
28 g
1 medium single serving bag
303 kcal
57 g
1 large single serving bag
451 kcal
85 g
1 single serving bag, NFS
303 kcal
57 g
1 kernel
1 kcal
0 g
A source measure below uses USDA shorthand; the full glossary appears with the source formulation.
At a glance
Nutrient signals in the source amount
For FDC 2708238, Total fat is the largest displayed non-protein Daily Value signal. Read the set as label context—not a personalized score.
Total fat
10.6 g≈ 14% Daily ValueCarbohydrate
21.4 g≈ 8% Daily ValueDietary fiber
2.1 g≈ 8% Daily ValueThe percentages above apply to FDC 2708238’s 35 g reference amount. FDA Daily Values are general label references, not individualized energy or medical targets. Read the FDA explanation ↗
Nutrition facts
Compare the source serving with 100 grams
Values are rounded for readability. The source serving is 35 g.
| Nutrient | Amount | Approx. % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 186 kcal 531 kcal | Not established Not established |
| Protein | 1.9 g 5.5 g | Not shown Not shown |
| Carbohydrate | 21.4 g 61 g | 8% 22% |
| Total fat | 10.6 g 30.2 g | 14% 39% |
| Dietary fiber | 2.1 g 6.1 g | 8% 22% |
| Sugars | 10 g 28.5 g | Not established Not established |
| Sodium | 173.3 mg 495 mg | 8% 22% |
| Saturated fat | 1.4 g 4.1 g | 7% 20% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2.9 g 8.2 g | Not established Not established |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.6 g 15.9 g | Not established Not established |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg 0 mg | 0% 0% |
| Potassium | 49 mg 140 mg | 1% 3% |
| Calcium | 1.4 mg 4 mg | 0% 0% |
| Iron | 0.5 mg 1.4 mg | 3% 8% |
| Magnesium | 21.4 mg 61 mg | 5% 15% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg 0 mg | 0% 0% |
| Vitamin D | 0 µg 0 µg | 0% 0% |
| Vitamin A | 1.4 µg 4 µg | 0% 0% |
| Caffeine | 0 mg 0 mg | Not established Not established |
| Alcohol | 0 g 0 g | Not established Not established |
| Water | 0.5 g 1.4 g | Not established Not established |
For FDC 2708238, approximate percentages divide the displayed 35 g amount by FDA label Daily Values; they are not personalized targets. “Not established” means FDA sets no Daily Value for that row. Protein %DV remains unshown because adult-label use depends on regulatory context.
Inside the source record
Source formulation behind this USDA record
USDA links FDC 2708238 to 4 source inputs totaling 141.8 g in its standardized formulation. Publishing that exact provenance makes “Popcorn, ready-to-eat, kettle” inspectable beside similarly named records.
How to read this
4 listed components
The largest listed inputs by source weight are Snacks, popcorn, air-popped, Oil, corn, Sugars, granulated. The order and weights below come from the standardized USDA formulation, so they offer context for this exact database entry.
141.8 g total listed input weight across the formulation.
| # | USDA input | Listed amount | Input weight | Share of listed input weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Snacks, popcorn, air-poppedUSDA ingredient 19034 · encyclopedia page available | 60 GM | 60 g | 42.3% |
| 2 | Oil, cornUSDA ingredient 4518 · encyclopedia page available | 40 GM | 40 g | 28.2% |
| 3 | Sugars, granulatedUSDA ingredient 19335 · encyclopedia page available | 40 GM | 40 g | 28.2% |
| 4 | Salt, tableUSDA ingredient 2047 · encyclopedia page available | 1.8 GM | 1.8 g | 1.3% |
USDA shorthand in this evidence
- NFS means “not further specified.” The record intentionally leaves the exact subtype, size, or preparation unresolved.
Exact-record context
What makes this USDA record distinct?
For FDC 2708238, the close-record rule searches the USDA “Popcorn” category for shared description terms or source inputs. Any surviving pair is compared per 100 grams, so unlike source-serving sizes cannot manufacture the nutrient difference.
This record
Popcorn, ready-to-eat, kettle
- USDA category
- Popcorn
- FDC ID
- 2708238
- FNDDS code
- 54403089
Closest inspectable record
Popcorn, ready-to-eat, plain
- USDA category
- Popcorn
- FDC ID
- 2708232
- FNDDS code
- 54403081
| Nutrient | This record | Comparison record | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 531 kcal | 482 kcal | +49 kcal |
| Protein | 5.5 g | 10.2 g | −4.7 g |
| Carbohydrate | 61 g | 61.2 g | −0.2 g |
| Total fat | 30.2 g | 23.3 g | +6.9 g |
| Dietary fiber | 6.1 g | 11.4 g | −5.3 g |
| Sodium | 495 mg | 616 mg | −121 mg |
Plain-English read
At the fixed 100-gram basis, this record lists 49 more calories, 4.7 g less protein, and 6.9 g more total fat than “Popcorn, ready-to-eat, plain.”
Only this record lists Sugars, granulated. Those formulation rows identify different source records; they do not prove which input caused a nutrient difference.
5 of the six displayed differences clear the documented materiality screen. It is a reading aid, not a health rating.
Formulation evidence
The listed formulations differ
The formulation rows differ, but the source data do not isolate which component caused any nutrient difference. Input weights describe the standardized formulation—not final plated proportions.
Shared listed inputs: Snacks, popcorn, air-popped; Oil, corn; Salt, table.
Listed only in this record: Sugars, granulated.
Portion evidence
The listed portion sets differ
This record’s reference amount is 35 g; a familiar listed measure is 1 small bag (28 g).
The comparison record’s reference amount is 28 g; a familiar listed measure is 1 small bag (28 g).
Use the 100-gram row to compare FDC 2708238 with FDC 2708232 at equal mass; use their 35 g and 28 g source amounts only for portion matching.
Evidence boundary: FDC 2708238 versus FDC 2708232 is a comparison of standardized source records—not a measurement of your meal, an overall food-quality rank, or proof that one input caused a difference.
Review the full popcorn source category → Read the calculation and selection methodology →
Deep comparisons
Controlled comparisons that include this exact record
FDC 2708238 appears in 1 pair page that passed semantic, material-difference, source-evidence, and diversity gates. Each preserves a 100-gram denominator and both primary records.
From record to familiar meal
Guides that use this exact USDA record
These 2 guides place “Popcorn, ready-to-eat, kettle” beside explicitly linked source records; use them to compare preparations without turning FDC 2708238 into a universal recipe.
Uncertainty, made actionable
What can change this estimate?
This is a standardized USDA survey-food profile, not a measurement of every preparation. Actual nutrition can change with piece or portion size, recipe or brand, fillings or frosting, added fats and sugars.
For “Popcorn, ready-to-eat, kettle,” resolve piece or portion size first, then move through the remaining 3 published levers. Unknowns should remain visible rather than expanding every assumption at once.
- 01
piece or portion size
When composition is held constant, nutrient totals scale directly with grams. A 20% weight correction produces the same 20% correction to the scaled totals.
- 02
recipe or brand
Prefer a package, menu, or known recipe when it identifies the food more precisely. Otherwise preserve the generic record as an explicit approximation.
- 03
fillings or frosting
Check whether the exact source description already includes it. If not, keep the addition separate rather than silently folding it into the base record.
- 04
added fats and sugars
Match the named cooking-fat state when possible. Fat used, retained, or left behind is preparation information that a dish name alone cannot recover.
How we estimated this
The arithmetic is simple; the provenance is the point
FDC 2708238 comes from FoodData Central Survey Foods (FNDDS). Its 531 kcal per 100 g becomes 186 kcal at 35 g through nutrient per portion = nutrient per 100 g × portion grams ÷ 100; this page adds no second nutrition estimate.
About the serving label: USDA describes the underlying survey portion as “Quantity not specified.” We display it as a USDA reference amount because it is a database comparison point—not a suggested portion or a claim about what most people should eat.
Data cycle: 2021–2023, published October 31, 2024
FoodData Central ID: 2708238
FNDDS food code: 54403089
The scaling for FDC 2708238 can be exact while the match to “Popcorn, ready-to-eat, kettle” is wrong. That is why this profile keeps its 35 g weight, 4-row source formulation, and selection uncertainty beside the arithmetic.
Source release October 31, 2024. Review USDA’s data-type documentation ↗ · Read Feast’s full nutrition methodology.