Makhana vs Popcorn: Nutrition, Calories, and Which to Eat (2026)
Quick answer: Makhana vs popcorn, which is better? Makhana and air-popped popcorn are both whole-food snacks that get puffed with heat rather than fried. At a 1 ounce (28 g) serving, plain air-popped popcorn is about 108 calories per USDA FoodData Central (FDC 167959). A 1 ounce bag of AshaPops popped water lily seeds is 120 calories per the product label, and a 0.5 ounce bag is 60 calories. The two snacks differ most in flavor and texture: makhana is neutral and takes seasoning well, popcorn has a toasty corn flavor of its own. Pick the one that fits the moment. Snack shelves now carry makhana, the popped seed of the prickly water lily (Euryale ferox), right next to every...