This is the film festival season for a lot of people. You can see several films in a row. You want to see more, but your stomach is growling.
Eating during films is obviously encouraged in North America. In Europe, not so much. Theatres don't allow outside food, and we are not asking you to go out of your way to break the rules.
If you decide to break the rules, here are some tips on the best ways to eat through a film festival.
- Crunchy is great but not in a dark theatre with a bunch of people who are not your friends. This eliminates some good foods such as carrot sticks and potato chips. The idea is to minimize noise in the theatre out of respect for your fellow patrons.
- Popcorn is a good sell and you can certainly find popcorn in any theatre. If you air pop your popcorn, you can fill a freezer bag full of popcorn. You aren't tempted to use almost butter-like substances to put on your popcorn. The freezer bag lets you limit your portion sizes.
- Protein bars are an easy solution. The concern is too much sugar. Almonds are a really nice protein option with protein and fiber. You shouldn't eat too many almonds, but that isn't usually a problem. Eating almonds gives you protein and fiber without sugar. You can enhance almonds with a chili lime mix of spices (or similar spice influence) if plain almonds don't have much appeal.
- Carrots are an ideal, yet loud, vegetable snack but there are vegetables that will make you more friends such as cucumbers. Cucumbers are big on water so they also serve to hydrate.
- Fruit works better when sliced before entering the theatre. Apples and pears are great for fall festivals since those fruits are in season. Grapes are ideal if they are seedless. No one wants to hear you spit seeds. Slice your own fruit for maximum freshness and flavor. Fruit provides good sugar and needed fiber to keep you going.
- Applesauce (ideally natural with no added sugar or high-fructose corn syrup) and yogurt require a spoon but are quite ways to pack in some calories.
- Homemade granola is an ideal snack since granola is designed to fill you up in between meals. Just be sure to limit the sugar and to avoid nuts that are too crunchy.
- If toaster pastries or other food that is wrapped, unwrap the items before entering the theatre. The crinkling of packaging is worse for your fellow filmgoers than loud crunching.
- Invest in snack size bags and sandwich size bags. They can regulate portion sizes and keep food fresh until you need to eat them.
- Drink water. Yes, you might make more trips to the restroom but water does fill people up.
If you aren't sure as to whether your food passes muster, here are a few basic questions:
- Does it smell? Would the smell offend you if this wasn't your food and you were on an airplane?
- Would the noise be enough to wake up your roommate or significant other?
- Would I eat this food in a library if they allowed food in a library?
The rules might shift a bit if you are attending a food film festival since you might be eating certain foods while the films are playing. Your fellow patrons are less likely to be offended because they will be eating the same food.
BalanceofFood.com film coverage
Be considerate of others. Pick a variety of foods that sustain you without too much added sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. Try to have some fun with your choices while maintaining some nutritional balance. And enjoy the films.
photo credit: The Food Film Festival
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