Search our database for specific skinny pop products to see individual processing scores and ingredient lists.
Search Skinny Pop products →Skinny Pop vs Smartfood Comparison
Two popular popcorn brands with very different approaches to flavor. Skinny Pop keeps it simple with 3 ingredients. Smartfood White Cheddar builds its signature flavor with a complex cheese seasoning system containing 10+ ingredients.
SnacksQuick Answer
Skinny Pop (Level 2, 3 ingredients: popcorn, sunflower oil, salt) is less processed than Smartfood White Cheddar (Level 3, 10+ ingredients including whey, cheddar cheese powder, buttermilk, and natural flavors). The cheese seasoning system is what separates them.
Skinny Pop vs Smartfood White Cheddar
Skinny Pop
Smartfood White Cheddar
Search our database for specific smartfood white cheddar products to see individual processing scores and ingredient lists.
Search Smartfood White Cheddar products →Our Verdict
Skinny Pop (Level 2, 3 ingredients: popcorn, sunflower oil, salt) is less processed than Smartfood White Cheddar (Level 3, 10+ ingredients including whey, cheddar cheese powder, buttermilk, and natural flavors). The cheese seasoning system is what separates them.
Important Note
Processing levels can vary significantly between brands and specific products within each category. Always check the ingredient list of the specific product you are considering. Use our product search to look up exact processing scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Skinny Pop really just 3 ingredients?
Yes. Skinny Pop Original contains popcorn, sunflower oil, and salt. It is one of the simplest packaged snacks available and comparable in processing level to making popcorn at home with oil and salt.
What makes Smartfood more processed?
Smartfood White Cheddar adds whey, cheddar cheese (milk, salt, cultures, enzymes), buttermilk, natural flavors, and lactic acid to create its cheese coating. These are real dairy-derived ingredients, not artificial, but the overall ingredient count and complexity are higher than plain popcorn.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about the individual foods in this comparison.