New Popcorn Is Packed With Protein

New Popcorn Is Packed With Protein Wisconsin entrepreneur Michael Jaber has created a protein-packed popcorn that offers more protein per bag than any other snack on the market. Jaber’s nightly snacking habit sparked the idea. He became accustomed to eating a bag of microwave popcorn and began thinking of ways to make it healthier. “I loved popcorn, hated what was in it — empty carbs, bad oils, zero protein,” says Jaber. “I kept thinking, what if somebody figured out how to put real protein on popcorn. Not a dusting or a gimmick. Real protein.” A few protein popcorn brands were already available, but they contained little protein and had high sugar levels. In contrast, Jaber envisioned a popcorn that was macro-friendly, low in sugar, gluten-free, and made with premium whey isolate protein. “This was non-negotiable; it actually had to taste incredible, not just good for a protein snack.” Jaber initially teamed up with two former students. One owned a popcorn company, and the other a supplement company. Together, they created several prototypes, and early taste tests at local gyms showed promise. However, Jaber wasn’t satisfied. The protein content was too low, and the ingredients weren’t clean enough. The team dissolved, and Jaber decided to rebuild the formula from the ground up. “Quitting wasn’t an option,” he says. “I knew what this product could be. I’d seen people light up when they tasted it. The vision wasn’t wrong; I just needed the right partners.” Jaber reached out to Mark Knudsen of Pop’s Kettle Corn, a company that offers 175 popcorn varieties. Although Pops introduced a protein popcorn in 2018, their main focus was on flavor rather than nutrition, and it didn’t catch on with the fitness market. With Jaber’s help, the popcorn brand completely revamped its product. They switched to using 100% premium whey protein isolate, produced in small monthly batches. They developed a proprietary process that bonds the protein to each kernel instead of just sprinkling it on top or mixing it in loosely. The result is a texture and flavor profile unlike anything else on the market. Today, PumpCorn is made from Midwest corn kernels that are popped in avocado oil, coated with peanut butter, and covered with flavored whey protein isolate. One serving equals half a bag and contains 290 calories, 5 grams of fat, 29 grams of carbs, and 32.5 grams of protein, totaling 65 grams of protein in the entire bag. It has a sticky consistency due to the peanut butter, but it isn’t chalky like other protein popcorn. Four flavors are available: Flexfetti (birthday cake), Caramel-icious (caramel), Nutty by Nature (peanut butter chocolate), and Cinna-Swole (cinnamon). PumpCorn is currently sold in gyms and Suppz supplement stores across Wisconsin, and Jaber aims to expand it into more national markets. “This isn’t popcorn with protein added as an afterthought,” Jaber says. “This is the result of a three-year odyssey to create the perfect intersection of indulgence and nutrition. People tell me they’re hooked after the first bag. That’s not marketing. That’s the product speaking for itself.” Try some for yourself at orderpops.com/collections/pumpcorn. A two-serving bag retails for $9.49 plus shipping. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, PumpCorn (pumpcornfitness@gmail.com; www.orderpops.com).

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