Snacks & dessertshigher variability

Popcorn, ready-to-eat, low sodium calories: 136 per 1 small bag (28 g)

This exact USDA record reports 136 calories for 1 small bag (28 g). That answer belongs to this description and weight; it is not a universal value for every meal that shares the name.

Quick facts

1 small bag · 28 g

Calories
136 kcal
Protein
2.9 g
Carbohydrate
17.3 g
Total fat
6.6 g
Fiber
3.2 g
Sodium
88 mg

Portion calculator

Estimate your portion

Choose a source measure or enter the weight you ate.

Preparation and portion

Named measures come from this exact source record.

Estimated for 1 small single serving bag · 28 g

136calories

Popcorn, ready-to-eat, low sodium

Protein
2.9 g
Carbs
17.3 g
Fat
6.6 g

These values scale the selected reference food by weight. Ingredients, preparation, and portion size can change your meal’s estimate.

FoodData Central Survey Foods (FNDDS) · FDC 2708234

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 136 calories for 1 small bag at 28 grams. On a fixed-weight basis, the same record contains 486 calories per 100 grams. The first number answers a portion question; the second answers a concentration question.

Composition: that source amount also reports 2.9 g protein, 3.2 g fiber, and 88 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 79.4% of the record’s listed input weight. The record contains 3 source-input rows in all. These are provenance for a standardized calculation, not a recipe for your plate.

The source calls its underlying survey portion “Quantity not specified,” but it separately lists 1 small bag at the identical weight. We use the familiar household label here without changing the source calculation.

The household measures attached to this record span roughly 1–413 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 2708234: “Popcorn, ready-to-eat, low sodium.” 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 2708234, 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.

Three gram-weight scenarios calculated from this exact USDA nutrient record
ScenarioWeightEnergyProteinFiberSodium
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 136 kcal 2.9 g 3.2 g 88 mg
1 large single serving bagUSDA-listed household measure 85 g 413 kcal 8.8 g 9.8 g 266 mg

02 · Fixed-weight context

Where 100 grams sits inside Popcorn

The comparison set contains 23 exact records in the Popcorn USDA category. Here, “middle half” describes FDC 2708234’s energy position in that corpus—not nutritional quality, desirability, or a health rating.

Energy

middle half

486 kcalthis record per 100 g

Corpus median
496 kcal
Middle 50%
429–522 kcal

Based on 23 records reporting energy.

Protein

middle half

10.3 gthis record per 100 g

Corpus median
9.1 g
Middle 50%
7–10.7 g

Based on 23 records reporting protein.

Dietary fiber

middle half

11.5 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

lower quarter

313 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 2708234’s 28 g reference weight, the largest strength-side percentage among the nutrients evaluated here is Dietary fiber; the larger tradeoff-side percentage is Saturated fat. 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 fiber3.2 g

≈ 12% DV. This does not cross the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.

Magnesium32 mg

≈ 8% DV. This does not cross the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.

Tradeoff-side signals

Saturated fat0.9 g

≈ 4% DV. This does not cross the FDA’s 20% ‘high’ guide.

Sodium88 mg

≈ 4% 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, low sodium,” the first-pass checks follow the evidence actually published: its named weights, the FDC 2708232 alternative, and its source-formulation identity.

  1. 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 413 kcal.

  2. 02

    Record choice: compare with FDC 2708232

    At an equal 100 g, this record has 303 mg less sodium than “Popcorn, ready-to-eat, plain.” That is a record-level contrast; it does not identify which ingredient caused the difference.

  3. 03

    Formulation anchor: Snacks, popcorn, air-popped

    The source formulation has 3 input rows; Snacks, popcorn, air-popped supplies 79.4% 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; low sodium” 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, low sodium

Exact source wording
“Popcorn, ready-to-eat, low sodium”
Source identity
USDA FDC 2708234 · FNDDS 54403083
Named qualifiers
ready-to-eat · low sodium

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

06 · Continue with purpose

The next pages answer different follow-up questions

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 “low sodium”. 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.

Nearby USDA records compared with this exact food description
Exact recordSource servingCalories / 100 gProtein / 100 gFat / 100 gFiber / 100 gSodium / 100 g
This recordPopcorn, 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 28 g135 kcal 482 kcal 10.2 g 23.3 g 11.4 g 616 mg
Popcorn, microwave, low sodium 28 g139 kcal 496 kcal 8.9 g 27.9 g 9.9 g 310 mg
Popcorn, ready-to-eat, kettle 35 g186 kcal 531 kcal 5.5 g 30.2 g 6.1 g 495 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, butter flavored 35 g186 kcal 530 kcal 8.9 g 32.5 g 10 g 764 mg
Popcorn, ready-to-eat, plain, light 28 g122 kcal 437 kcal 11.3 g 14.9 g 12.7 g 600 mg

How to compare FDC 2708234: its source amount is 28 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 2708234, the 6 displayed measures scale the same source composition by gram weight; rounding changes presentation, not the underlying ratio.

1 cup

53 kcal

11 g

1 small single serving bag

136 kcal

28 g

1 medium single serving bag

277 kcal

57 g

1 large single serving bag

413 kcal

85 g

1 single serving bag, NFS

277 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 2708234, Dietary fiber is the largest displayed non-protein Daily Value signal. Read the set as label context—not a personalized score.

Dietary fiber

3.2 g≈ 12% Daily Value

Total fat

6.6 g≈ 8% Daily Value

Magnesium

31.9 mg≈ 8% Daily Value

The percentages above apply to FDC 2708234’s 28 g reference amount. FDA Daily Values are general label references, not individualized energy or medical targets. Read the FDA explanation ↗

Source-serving signals

What stands out in this record

These 1 calculated observation describe FDC 2708234 at 28 g—not a measured or recommended plate.

  • The representative USDA portion supplies 3.2 g dietary fiber, about 12% of the Daily Value used on U.S. labels.

Nutrition facts

Compare the source serving with 100 grams

Values are rounded for readability. The source serving is 28 g.

Nutrient amounts for the selected source serving or 100 grams
NutrientAmountApprox. % Daily Value
Calories 136 kcal Not established
Protein 2.9 g Not shown
Carbohydrate 17.3 g 6%
Total fat 6.6 g 8%
Dietary fiber 3.2 g 12%
Sugars 0.2 g Not established
Sodium 87.6 mg 4%
Saturated fat 0.9 g 4%
Monounsaturated Fat 1.8 g Not established
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4 g Not established
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Potassium 73.1 mg 2%
Calcium 1.7 mg 0%
Iron 0.7 mg 4%
Magnesium 31.9 mg 8%
Vitamin C 0 mg 0%
Vitamin D 0 µg 0%
Vitamin A 2.2 µg 0%
Caffeine 0 mg Not established
Alcohol 0 g Not established
Water 0.7 g Not established

For FDC 2708234, approximate percentages divide the displayed 28 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 2708234 to 3 source inputs totaling 100.8 g in its standardized formulation. Publishing that exact provenance makes “Popcorn, ready-to-eat, low sodium” inspectable beside similarly named records.

How to read this

3 listed components

The largest listed inputs by source weight are Snacks, popcorn, air-popped, Oil, corn, Salt, table. The order and weights below come from the standardized USDA formulation, so they offer context for this exact database entry.

100.8 g total listed input weight across the formulation.

USDA source inputs listed for this exact survey-food record
#USDA inputListed amountInput weightShare of listed input weight
1 Snacks, popcorn, air-poppedUSDA ingredient 19034 · encyclopedia page available 80 GM 80 g 79.4%
2 Oil, cornUSDA ingredient 4518 · encyclopedia page available 20 GM 20 g 19.8%
3 Salt, tableUSDA ingredient 2047 · encyclopedia page available 0.8 GM 0.8 g 0.8%

Use this formulation to choose a closer record—not to reverse-engineer a recipe. If your meal adds, removes, or substantially changes one of these components, another source entry or a photo-based estimate may fit better.

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 2708234, 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.

Exact nutrient values per 100 grams
NutrientThis recordComparison recordDifference
Calories486 kcal482 kcal+4 kcal
Protein10.3 g10.2 g+0.1 g
Carbohydrate61.7 g61.2 g+0.5 g
Total fat23.4 g23.3 g+0.1 g
Dietary fiber11.5 g11.4 g+0.1 g
Sodium313 mg616 mg−303 mg

Plain-English read

At the fixed 100-gram basis, this record lists 303 mg less sodium than “Popcorn, ready-to-eat, plain.”

1 of the six displayed differences clears 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.

The ingredient codes overlap, while at least one listed amount, weight, sequence, or formulation detail differs.

Portion evidence

The listed portion sets match

This record’s reference amount is 28 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 2708234 with FDC 2708232 at equal mass; use their 28 g and 28 g source amounts only for portion matching.

Evidence boundary: FDC 2708234 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 2708234 appears in 2 pair pages that passed semantic, material-difference, source-evidence, and diversity gates. Each preserves a 100-gram denominator and both primary records.

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, low sodium,” 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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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 2708234 comes from FoodData Central Survey Foods (FNDDS). Its 486 kcal per 100 g becomes 136 kcal at 28 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.” The separately listed 1 small bag has the same gram weight, so the familiar label can be shown without changing the calculation.

Data cycle: 2021–2023, published October 31, 2024

FoodData Central ID: 2708234

FNDDS food code: 54403083

The scaling for FDC 2708234 can be exact while the match to “Popcorn, ready-to-eat, low sodium” is wrong. That is why this profile keeps its 28 g weight, 3-row source formulation, and selection uncertainty beside the arithmetic.

Open the source record ↗

Source release October 31, 2024. Review USDA’s data-type documentation ↗ · Read Feast’s full nutrition methodology.