Snack time is an important part of the day for many people. Whether you need a quick bite to tide you over until your next meal or something to munch on while watching TV, having tasty and satisfying snack options on hand is a must.
Two popular crunchy snack options are LOVE CORN and Corn Nuts. But what’s the difference between these two snacks and which one is healthier?
This comprehensive guide compares LOVE CORN and Corn Nuts side-by-side, looking at their nutrition, ingredients, taste, and cost to help you decide which snack best fits your needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | LOVE CORN | Corn Nuts |
| Ingredients | Non-GMO corn, sunflower/safflower oil, sea salt | Corn, vegetable oil, maltodextrin, MSG, artificial flavors, colors, preservatives |
| Production Method | Oven-puffed | Fried or baked |
| Fat (per serving) | 1-1.5g | 9-13g |
| Sodium (per serving) | 85-135mg | 350-450mg |
| Carbs (per serving) | 15g net carbs | 18-22g net carbs |
| Protein (per serving) | 2-3g | 3-4g |
| Sugar (per serving) | 1-2g | 0-2g |
| Calories (per serving) | 140-160 | 160-220 |
| Taste | Light, crispy, prominent corn flavor | Hard, dense crunch, heavy saltiness |
| Cost (per oz) | $0.30 | $0.20 |
Overview of LOVE CORN
LOVE CORN is a puffed corn snack that boasts robust corn flavor in a light and crispy bite.
Unlike heavily processed traditional corn nuts, LOVE CORN is made using a unique oven-puffing technique that gently pops whole corn kernels into an airy, crunchy snack.
The corn used in LOVE CORN is non-GMO and sustainably grown.
The kernels are slowly heated until they naturally pop, without the need for oil or artificial flavorings.
This results in a snack that contains 70% less fat than regular fried corn nuts. LOVE CORN comes in a variety of delicious flavors like Sea Salt, Chili Lime, Garlic Parmesan, and more.
Overview of Corn Nuts
Corn Nuts are a classic salty snack made from roasted or fried corn kernels. They have a crunchy texture and strong corn taste.
Traditional corn nuts are fried in oil and heavily seasoned with salt, resulting in a high-fat, high-sodium snack. Many major brands like Planters manufacture corn nuts using GMO corn.
Some companies now offer baked corn nuts that are not fried, but these still tend to be high in salt and use less natural production methods than LOVE CORN. In terms of nutrition, Corn Nuts are significantly higher in fat, sodium, and calories compared to LOVE CORN.
Nutrition Face-Off: LOVE CORN And Corn Nuts
Let’s take a detailed look at how these two popcorn snacks compare nutritionally:
- Calories: LOVE CORN ranges from 140-160 calories per serving, while Corn Nuts contain 160-220 calories per serving depending on the brand.
- Fat: LOVE CORN has 1-1.5g of fat per serving, while Corn Nuts range from 9-13g of fat.
- Sodium: LOVE CORN contains 85-135mg sodium per serving. Corn nuts have 350-450mg sodium per serving.
- Carbs: Both snacks get most of their calories from carbs. LOVE CORN has 15g net carbs per serving, Corn Nuts have 18-22g net carbs.
- Protein: Corn nuts contain 3-4g of protein per serving, while LOVE CORN has 2-3g protein.
- Sugar: LOVE CORN has 1-2g of sugar per serving, compared to 0-2g in Corn Nuts
So in terms of nutrition stats, LOVE CORN is clearly the healthier choice. It’s much lower in fat, sodium, and calories compared to conventional corn nuts.
Ingredients Comparison
When it comes to ingredients, LOVE CORN again beats out traditional Corn Nuts:
LOVE CORN Ingredients:
- Corn
- Sunflower Oil or Safflower Oil
- Sea Salt
That’s it! LOVE CORN keeps the ingredient list short and avoids artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Corn Nuts Ingredients:
- Corn
- Vegetable Oil (usually cottonseed or sunflower)
- Salt
- Maltodextrin
- Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
- Artificial Flavors
- TBHQ (preservative)
- Artificial Colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6)
Corn Nuts include far more artificial additives like MSG and preservatives compared to the all-natural LOVE CORN.
Taste Test: How Do They Compare?
At the end of the day, taste is king when it comes to snacking. So how do LOVE CORN and Corn Nuts stack up flavor-wise?
LOVE CORN
- Crunchy, light, and airy texture
- Prominent fresh corn taste
- Not greasy or oily
- Distinct flavors in varieties like Chili Lime and Garlic Parmesan
Corn Nuts
- Hard, dense crunch
- Strong toasted corn flavor
- Greasy or oily mouthfeel
- Heavily salted taste
- Artificial flavors overwhelm corn flavor in varieties like Ranch and Chili Cheese
Overall, LOVE CORN offers a fresher, lighter taste where the natural corn flavor shines through. The oven-puffing process gives it an airy crunch without any greasy mouthfeel. Flavors like Sea Salt and Chili Lime allow the corn taste to take center stage.
Corn nuts have bolder toasted corn flavor, but this is often overpowered by heavy saltiness or artificial flavors. They also leave an oily film in the mouth that not everyone enjoys.
So taste-wise, LOVE CORN again comes out on top for its fresh and natural corn taste in a crispy and light snack. The inventive flavors add variety without overpowering the base corn flavor.
Cost Comparison
When comparing cost, Corn Nuts tend to be more affordable than LOVE CORN:
- Corn Nuts: Approximately $0.20 per ounce
- LOVE CORN: Approximately $0.30 per ounce
However, when you look at the big picture, LOVE CORN delivers more value:
- Significantly healthier
- Larger serving sizes (1.5 oz for LOVE CORN vs 1 oz for Corn Nuts)
- No artificial ingredients
- Environmentally sustainable
So the slightly higher price tag for LOVE CORN is justified by their commitment to quality ingredients and responsible production methods. The focus on nutrition and taste makes LOVE CORN a better value compared to standard corn nuts.
Should You Choose LOVE CORN or Corn Nuts?
When comparing these two crunchy corn snacks, LOVE CORN is the clear nutritional winner. Here’s a quick summary:
- Ingredients: LOVE CORN uses all-natural, non-GMO corn and oils. Corn nuts include artificial flavors, colors, MSG, and preservatives.
- Nutrition: LOVE CORN is significantly lower in calories, fat, and sodium compared to Corn Nuts.
- Taste: LOVE CORN offers light, crispy texture with fresh corn flavor. Corn nuts are hard and dense with heavy saltiness.
- Cost: LOVE CORN costs slightly more per ounce but provides more value from nutrition and ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, LOVE CORN is a very healthy corn nut option. Compared to regular oil-fried corn nuts, LOVE CORN contains 70% less fat and significantly less sodium. The oven-puffed preparation method removes the need for frying in oil, keeping LOVE CORN light and crisp without extra fat and calories. All the ingredients in LOVE CORN are natural like non-GMO corn, sunflower oil, and sea salt. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
LOVE CORN is an exceptionally healthy corn snack. A 1.5 ounce serving contains 140-160 calories, 1-1.5g fat, 85-135mg sodium, 2-3g protein, and 1-2g sugar. It is free from GMOs, cholesterol, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. The low calorie, low fat, and low sodium nutrition stats make LOVE CORN a very smart snack choice. The oven-puffing production method preserves nutrients from the whole corn kernel better than frying. So you get an authentic corn flavor with premium nutrition in each bite.
The main differences between corn and corn nuts:
Whole kernels vs processed: Corn on the cob consists of whole, intact corn kernels. Corn nuts are made from kernels that have been roasted or fried.
Preparation: Corn is typically eaten fresh or frozen. Corn nuts go through oil-frying or baking to create a crunchy texture.
Flavor: Fresh sweet corn has a delicate flavor. Corn nuts pack a more intense, toasted corn taste.
Nutrition: Raw corn has more nutrients like vitamin C and antioxidants. Corn nuts lose some nutrients during processing but pack carbohydrates, fat, and sodium into a small snack.
So corn nuts have a more concentrated corn taste in a crunchy form you can eat out of hand. But fresh corn delivers more complete nutrition with a lighter natural sweetness.
LOVE CORN consists of just three simple ingredients:
1. Non-GMO corn kernels
2. Sunflower oil or safflower oil
3. Sea salt
The corn kernels are slowly oven-puffed to create a light and crispy texture, then seasoned with a dash of sunflower oil and sea salt. No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or GMO ingredients are used.
The oven-puffing technique maximizes the natural corn flavor with less processing compared to frying. This allows the fresh taste and nutrients of the whole corn kernels to really shine through in each bite.
So LOVE CORN gives you simple, high-quality ingredients resulting in a satisfying crunch with pure corn goodness.
Final Thoughts
LOVE CORN is the healthier choice and offers an all-around better snacking experience with great taste and variety. The oven-puffing production method results in a satisfying crunch and allows the corn flavor to take center stage.
Corn nuts pack bigger corn taste but at the cost of higher fat, sodium, and artificial additives. Their heavy saltiness and greasy mouthfeel make it hard to stop after just a serving or two.
Overall, for shoppers looking for a tasty yet nutritious crunch, LOVE CORN is the clear winner. The light and crispy kernels will satisfy cravings and fuel your body with a smart snack choice.