In my mail today arrived samples of the new 100-calorie Pepperidge Farm Chessmen and Chocolate Chunk gourmet cookies. They’re YUM of course (I’ve already inhaled another pack just writing that sentence), but I’ve got BIG concerns with all this mini food madness.
In the past three years, since they made their debut, 100-calorie snack packs have sales of more than 200 million. You can now find Chips Ahoy, Oreos, Cheese Nips, Pringles, Cheetos, Wheat Thins, Hostess cupcakes and a variety of other popular snack foods now in these calorie-controlled single-serve packages.
We dietitians have been pushing portion control to help combat the supersizing phenomenon of food packages and restaurant meals, but the proliferation of these mini snacks is the new portion distortion. Portion control is a good thing, but just because the size of the package has shrunk, doesn’t doesn’t make its contents healthy. Too many people may be adding these cute foods to their diets because they think 100 calories is hardly anything, right?
Here’s a bit(e) of reality to this mini madness:
A calorie is a calorie. An extra 100 calories a day adds up to 10 pounds in a year. If you didn’t have just one packet of these per day, you’d lose 10 pounds in a year.
Most of the new offerings are just smaller versions of the traditional treats we loved. These products have not been reformulated to be lower in saturated fat and sugar and higher in fiber or other nutrients.
You probably already snack too much anyway. The most recent national data show that we eat about 25% of our calories from snacks, or some 630 calories a day, on average, from snacks. That’s up from 360 calories from snacks in the 1970s.
These snacks are generally high in sugar, saturated fat and lacking in vitamins, minerals and of course, the beneficial compounds that you’d find in say, a 100-calorie apple.
The best use of portioned-controlled snacks is to use reserve them for dessert. I’ll stick with apples and other fresh fruit for my 100-calorie fix.
Comments (6)
Although staying clear of packaged foods in general is probably best, it isn’t always realistic. Especially as a busy woman on the go. Thankfully in this age of healthy living in addition to portion controlled 100 calorie packs we have more healthy snack options than ever before. There are plenty of “packaged” healthy snacks; some low cal, some all natural, some organic, and some live/raw for whatever healthy craze you are following.
Doubling the amount of packaging/trash piling up in landfills because you can’t stop shoveling snacks into your mouth? Pretty pathetic. Why not re-use some ziploc bags instead?
That’s pretty rude to say that someone should be ashamed of themselves for using individually packed items. I work in an office and sit by myself most of the day. I found that because I was bored and no one is around I would generally end up eating. And if I run to the store for a bad of chips that half a bag could be gone in a day. While I agree with you on using and reusing ziplocks. Find a better way to put it, you know if you continually offend people with your rudeness how will anyone take you seriously!
I think the fact that Oreos aren’t good for you isn’t a new health flash. It would be better if we only ate fruit as snacks, but I think these 100 Calorie packs are the best alternative on the market so far. And you have to admit, you got to have your snack fix once in a while. Plus, a lot of people can’t afford to shop at health food stores.
Apple = $0.69
1 pack Oreo thinsations = $0.62
Whopping difference. Seriously… who CAN’T afford to eat “health food”… or what I like to call “food”.
How about a friendly competition?
Apple size: 142g
Oreo size: 23g
Calories in that serving:
Apple: 80
Oreo: 100
Grams of fibre:
Apple: 4g
Oreo: 1g
Sodium:
Apple: 0mg
Oreos: 160mg
Fat:
Apple: 1g (out of 142g)
Oreos: 2g (out of 23g)
Saturated Fat:
Apple: 0g
Oreos: 1g
Plus, in the apple you are getting numerous vitamins and antioxidants, and you aren’t throwing away a plastic bag each time. God gave us apples in the garden of eden. Not thinsations.
I think what is important from this article is to understand how much we are consuming and not get taken away with “diet foods”. They can be a great alternative for busy gals or those who are working on portion control. It can also be a great way to have a sweet treat without over doing it. But you can also consider having just a bit of what you love and it may be healthier and more satisfiying i.e. 1oz of great chocolate will not through you off a healthy eating plan. Also just a side note: not everyone in our country can afford to eat a healthy diet. 26 million americans are on Food Stamps which does not allow for a heart healthy diet.