This is the ultimate snack food — and it's better for you than you think

We all may be full of holiday cheer, but we're also full of holiday meals. When the indulgences of the season start to catch up with us, it's time to ditch the usual dinner for something a little more whimsical: a snack night.

When you're snacking for dinner, popcorn can't be beat. It's an ideal "main course" because it's more filling than other snack foods and doesn't rely on a fryer for flavor. It also can be made from scratch in minutes with no special equipment other than a large pot, and you can flavor it any which way you want.

It's not necessary to save popcorn night for a special occasion, either. While you can certainly pair popcorn with a movie-watching evening, there is no law against making popcorn for dinner whenever the moment feels right. Don't fight the feeling.

It's a snack that really fills you up

Popcorn is an unprocessed whole grain: In fact, it's the combination of a starchy core inside a fibrous outer hull that makes popcorn pop. It's also high in fiber, containing nearly 4 grams per 4-cup serving, and contains a significant amount of polyphenols that can help lower blood sugar levels and help digestion. 

In addition, "popcorn is a filling snack due to the volume it takes up in your stomach, which keeps us from over-snacking," said registered dietitian nutritionist Julien Chamoun of RD Nutrition Counseling in New Jersey. Popcorn has been shown to be more satiating than potato chips, meaning you'll feel fuller after eating it.