There’s no question that 100 calorie snacks have taken the snack world by storm. Pretty much every chip, cookie, or candy can be found in 100-calorie form. But that can only be a great thing, right? Well…not so much.
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pros.
1. Portion control. With our society’s concept of portion sizes being out of control these days, at least 100 calorie snacks provide a way for people to snack without downing an entire sleeve of Oreos. The fact that the snacks are individually packaged could almost force people to pay attention to how much they’re eating and stop when they package is empty. If you’ve ever said “I’ll have just one more potato chip,” you know exactly what I’m talking about.
2. Convenient. Let’s be honest – it’s much easier to grab a pre-packaged snack when we’re running out the door or quickly throwing together a lunch. The pantries of houses where children go to school are mostly likely stocked with foods like Fruit Roll-ups, Twinkies, and individual bags of chips. So when it comes to convenience, at least 100 calorie snacks offer a somewhat healthier option.
3. Variety. Like I said, pretty much any snack can be found in 100-calorie form these days. This can come in handy when you have a particular craving but don’t want to indulge entirely in the real thing.
4. They’re getting healthier. Emerald recently came out with 100 calorie packs of nuts, which are a great source of healthy fat, protein, and vitamins. 100 calorie bags of popcorn are a whole grain option, and they also provide much more volume for 100 calories.
![DC.093_Emerald.5ozDRPeanuts [Converted]](../../../wp-content/uploads/2010/07/7.6.10.6.jpg "DC.093_Emerald.5ozDRPeanuts [Converted]") |
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cons.
1. Expensive. It might not seem like you’re paying much more by opting for 100 calorie snacks, but chances are that you’d spend less and get more if you bought the normal-sized package of chips, nuts, etc. What you’re really paying for when you get 100 calorie packs is the convenience.
2. Lack nutrition. While these snacks may only have 100 calories, the majority of them are full of empty calories. That might not matter to some people, but I’d much rather get as much bang for my buck nutrient-wise from 100 calories worth of food. Not to mention that empty calories do little to nothing when it comes to relieving hunger.
3. Quick fix. It seems as though we’ve gotten very lazy when it comes to our health. Whether trying to lose weight or become healthier, we want everything done for us. The onset of 100 calorie snacks have furthered that mentality. Instead of learning what 100 calories look like or finding healthy ways to snack, we grab whatever pre-packaged food that we’re told is “healthy.”
4. It’s not just about calories. This is similar to the previous point. It seems as though when people hear “100 calories” they automatically assume it’s healthy. So, does that mean 100 calories worth of high fructose corn syrup is healthy? Don’t answer that. My point is that we’ve gotten so caught up in eating less calories when we should be equally (if not more) caught up in eating more nutritious foods.
my take.
I appreciate the concept of 100 calorie snacks, but not so much the products themselves. I think that people are much better off making their own 100 calorie packs – both health-wise and financially.
Financially speaking – you’re much better off buying in bulk and spending a small amount of time divvying out pre-portioned snacks yourself.
Healthfully speaking – here are some ideas to make your own healthy and (in my opinion, much more) delicious snacks for around 100 calories:
- 1 container plain Greek yogurt + 1/2 cup strawberries
- 1 apple + 1 light Laughing Cow cheese wedge
- 1/4 ounce macadamia nuts + 1 tablespoon white chocolate chips
- 1/4 ounce hazelnuts + 2 dried apricots
- 2 tbsp hummus + 1/2 cup baby carrots
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese + 50 blueberries
- 1/2 cup Kashi Honey Sunshine cereal + 1/2 ounce almonds
- 1/2 ounce pistachios + 1/2 ounce raisins
…I could keep going! The possibilities are endless. In fact, I’d probably pick two of those snacks listed…
The bottom line is that 100 calorie snacks do provide a better option to people whose alternative is straight up “junk” food, but there are definitely better options available. My guess it that 100 calorie snacks are a trend that will continue on, and my hope is that healthier options will soon be offered.
- What say you? What do you think about 100 calorie snacks?
- Do you make your own pre-portioned snacks? What do they include?
I agree with you completely - love the idea but generally not product I’d eat!!
I make my own all the time - cashews + almonds, granola, dried fruit, (+whole fruit!), even a smoothie with ice cubes.
I LOVE bulk bins. SO much
Great post!
I definitely agree! I think it is much healthier for people to learn about proper portion size instead of having everything be portioned for them. The packaging of the individual bags also creates more waste.
I make pre-portioned snacks of fruit, veggies, nuts, etc, all the time but I always try to pack them in a reusable container.
No matter what it is, a 100 calorie snack does not fill me up! I need a bit more…maybe like 250 cals?
I won’t lie, I bought some 100 calorie bags of Sun Chips this past grocery trip. I liked that I could grab and go and I don’t eat chips often so I imagine they will last me a long time.
I agree with EVERYTHING you said though. There are much better ways to spend 100 calories than eating empty calories like that. Although, sometimes you just want a twinkie and the 100 calorie pre-portioned can be GREAT.
Healthfully speaking – thank you! Your tips are on board with my philosophy. It’s not just the $$ (which is outrageous) but it’s also about fueling your body and not just mindlessly snacking.
I am sure you could make 100 alternatives to the 100 calorie packs.
i like the 100-calorie craisins since i tend to overdo it on fruit. i do think the HFCS and the lack of nutrition in a lot of these snacks are sort of addicting though and not good for health purposes. however, for those who are obese or trying to lose weight etc. it can be a good START towards a healthier eating pattern.
I’m with you!
One of my main problems with 100-calorie packs is that they usually leave me starving for more. They are just not filling enough!
i also hate the mentality that it creates that a snack has to be 100 calories or a set number. i much prefer treating the body with care and eating what satiates me with my intuition. plus fresh foods - nut butters, cheeses, produce, etc. like you said are much more filling and good for you!
I’m not a fan. Aside from the fact that 100-calorie packs usually cost twice as much as their regular counterparts, I don’t think they help. Since the flavor is off, I never really feel satisfied with what I want to eat. Because, believe it or not, a 100-calorie pack of “Oreos” does not cure my Oreo craving. Besides, they’re full of a gazillion ingredients that combine to create a similar taste as real food.
I definitely have bought them in my college days for easy snacks but um, yeah I agree with ya about them being expensive for what they are and many times void of real nutrition. I tend to pack my own less processed goods like nuts and fruit or grab higher calorie bars like larabars. I guess two wheat thin 100 cal packs plus hummus, etc. could be ok if you need more portion control but I think and hope they will dwindle from grocery store shelves.
I’d have to agree with a lot of what you said. I use to LOVE 100 calorie packs. Then when I started to take a closer look at the ingredients, I began to think twice about them. I think you said it best when you said great concept, but not such a great product. One of my favorite 100 snacks to have is a handful of dried apricots.
I think they are a great way to curve a sweets craving, but many people think just because they are 100 calories they are healthy! I loved your healthy homemade 100 calorie snacks!
Amen sister! I bought the one-cup zip lock tupperware and I make my own pre-portioned snacks. Not only is it cheaper, but think about all the extra packaging needed for the 100-cal packs. Not exactly eco-friendly!
Oh I totally agree with you Gracie! I’d much rather have a bowl of yogurt with strawberries…and maybe some almond butter
- over a bag of 100 cal oreos any day! But that’s just me!
When available, I love throwing trail mixes together of dried fruit (apricots, raisins..), with pretzels/cereal, nuts and dark chocolate chips! It’s divine and so fun to snack on!
What a GREAT post, I absolutely loved it! 100 calorie packs are perfect for portion control, IF you only eat ONE bag. The trap people get in is eating more than they normally would because the pre-portioned 100 calorie packs are made to seem “healthy” now. Anyway, I completely agree and recommend to people to buy your own actually healthy snacks and pre-portion them out in snack sized baggies… less expensive, more personal, and healthier
I think that when it comes to 100 calorie snacks, it’s good when it concerns nuts and other healthy foods. When they’re portioning off junk food? Not so much. Junk food will always be junk food no matter how you package it and I would much rather treat myself to something sweet that is still semi good for my body - homemade goodies, 1/2 of a bar, some dark chocolate, etc.
I used to eat this stuff and it’s fairly devoid of nutritional value. It’s easy to eat 100 calories of junk but not much harder to eat 100 calories of nutrients.
I don’t take the time to make pre-portioned snacks but I seem to gravitate towards nuts, fruit, veggies, or yogurt instead.
Great post!
not a fan of 100 calorie packs! only the nuts I enjoy, but the rest are totally unsatisfying…who wants 3 oreos for 100 calories when you can have an apple and PB and be full and satisfied for a while!
I totally agree with you! I was reading a blog the other day of someone who is doing Weight Watchers and everything she was eating was 100 calorie portioned this, sugar free, fat free, junk. I tried telling her it would be much more satisfying to have REAL, WHOLE foods instead of food made and filled with chemicals to make it fat free and sugar free, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Oh well!
Jen
http://jenslosinit.blogspot.com/
I agree with a previous reader on the additional waste. Unfortunately it’s not very practical for me to go the Costco or Sam’s Club way either, but surely there is a happy medium of portioning out your treats into reuseable tupperware.
My favorite low cal snack: 1/2 cup fat free cottage cheese with a big ol’ dollop of salsa and some ground peppa. YUM!
One of my problems with these 100 cal packs are the lack of nutrition as you aptly said it. I used to LIVE off of these, before I knew anything about nutrition and the concept of balance, but now I know better. I like the almonds and the popcorn though, in fact today at the grocery store I was wishing that they’d sell the 100 cal packs of the almonds individually.
For me, these days, if Im going to have an oreo or a regular cookie, I want ONE of the real cookies themselves. The 100 cal packs dont satisfy my craving for the real thing.
I totally agree with you - 100 calorie packs are a good idea in theory, but they really don’t fill you up. 3 Oreos are definitely going to make more a (small) dent than a package of Oreo-flavored air pockets. But nuts and popcorn, I totally get those. Anything else is just small portion of an unhealthy food (twinkies, etc.)
Great, great post! I used to eat TONS of the 100 calorie packs thinking I was being “good”. Then I started reading blogs like yours and realized that I could do much, much better.
Also, I gave you a blog award!
gah, I haet 100 calorie packs! Aside from being way more expensive, I know a lot of people use them to satisfy their sweet tooth, but that usually doesn’t work because they aren’t the real thing. i think people are way better off packing their own snacks that will be more satisfying and if they want a treat, indulge in a small portion of the real thing so the craving is at least met and you aren’t tempted to eat like 3 packages of the 100-calorie imitation.
woah…can you tell this post pushed a button? haha! Great topic to discuss!
I love how balanced you are with these posts! Listing all the pros & cons…
I’d prob. just list the cons haha. But I agree with everything you said- couldn’t have said it better myself
Great post! I’ve never been a fan of them simply because they are empty calories. What I would do is just sort my snacks into plastic baggies on Sunday if I needed the convience and calorie control.
The ideas you gave are wonderful! Plus, they are not only cheaper and more delicious…but there’s a heck of a lot more food! Those 100 cal packs are next to nothing! Give me an apple and cheese any day
Im not a fan of the 100 calorie snacks. First of all, they dont taste as good as the real thing.
Second - theyre a total waste. Im with you - I’d rather portion out my snacks myself.
I usually buy a bunch of different nuts and seeds in bulk and make little baggies of “trail mix”. I keep one in my purse at all times. Super easy, and just as convenient.
This post needs it’s own website. seriously. In the midst of my weight loss struggles I totally fell victim to the “100 calorie fad”. Um, Give me a slice of toast with PB over a 3 measly sugar laden cookies the size of my pinky nail any day.
while I am all about portion control, i think these are overpriced and lack a lot of nutrients. I like them more for dessert rather than a snack. the ingredients can get kind of scary too, but i do love that emerald and blue diamond are making 100 calorie snack packs
they rock!
I totally think 100 calorie packs are marketed for the lazier set that easily believe they are “healthy” because they only have 100 calories. But have you seen the ingredient list on some of those things?? Yuck.
I pack trail mix in sandwich bags and snack on apples and greek yogurt - better options in my opinion without the added crap ingredients!
I think these packs are made for those who are struggling with weight. They can be used as portion control but they shouldn’t be a long term solution. They are expensive & lack healthy ingredients.
Once you’ve been able to wrap your head around being healthy I think you should be able to create your own alternatives.
i think you said it all Gracie!! i couldn’t add anything to your list- i mean, they are good in concept but in realitly, they aren’t very filling & aren’t very nutritious usually.
love your 100 cal snack ideas!
Great post! I agree with everything you said. I’m not a fan of 100 cal snack packs at all. They do absolutely nothing for my hunger!
Plus they’re not really a solution to unhealthy snacking either. If someone is trying to be healthier, they should learn how to make their own portion controlled snacks out of real foods!
Also they’re terrible for the environment. The amount of packaging involved is absurd!
I used to occasionally buy these in college before I realized how much of a money-waste they were. Just buy what it is you want and portion it yourself. I know some people have trouble with self control and may find 100 Calorie Packs more convenient or easier, but I don’t buy them myself anymore.
Also, I’ve found a lot of them have artificial sweeteners to keep the calories low and I am just so not into that anymore.
I totally agree with you. I think they’re great in a pinch, but they shouldn’t be something people rely on. It’s crazy how popular they’ve become!
LOVE these tips on the GOOD 100 cal snacks!! UMM 100 cal things do NOT fill me up, the packaged ones that is. not at all! BUT i do love my 100 cal kettle corn
I have definitely relied on the prepackaged portion control here or there. However, they are SUPER pricey. Usually what I’ll do is buy the big pack and then use little bags to divide them up to portion sized
Reese’s is the only candy I ever craved. I saw those bars and I was like I must have them, then I remembered I have blobs of frozen Dark Chocolate Dreams in my freezer. Tastes just like Reese’s!
I try and stay as far away from the 100 calorie snacks as I can. 1. I’m trying to stay away from those types of foods. The fact that they are now pre-packaged in 100 calorie packets isn’t’ making it any healthier for me than if I grab a 100 calorie bag of chips VS grabbing a large or ‘small’ bag of chips. 2. I will prob end up binging and having a whole box of pre-packaged bags of 100 calorie snacks adding up to more than I need. 3. We should all be more concerned with the other parts of the nutrition label other than the calories, Hello people sodium, sugars, carbs, fats. 4. these aren’t foods. They are processed and modified and preserved to last forevah. I am currently journeying down a path that I want to have turn into a life long trip of eating real foods that are good for me and provide me with nutrients.
When 100-calorie packs hit the market a few years ago, I was ecstatic! FINALLY I could allow myself to eat junk food, knowing that I wouldn’t “overdo” it. However, I soon found that my mini Hostess cupcakes not only did not satisfy me, but left me craving MORE junk! Then I began reading the ingredient labels (beef fat in the cupcakes! no joke!), and realized that I had to kiss 100-calorie packaged treats goodbye.
It’s not only the nutrition that bothers me about these snacks, but that companies are profiting BIG TIME by marketing these foods as “healthy.” Like you said, consumers get MUCH less for their money when they buy these items, and companies get MUCH more ($$$). Sure, portion control and convenience are great, but in this case, you’re not doing your wallet or body a favor buying them.
Great post!!
100 calorie packs are so overpriced! And can definitely be filled with empty calories. I love the idea of making your own!
I gave up on 100 calorie packs of whatever, except for guacamole. I’d rather just eat a serving of the real deal. More satisfying and cheaper.
Jenn
I pretty againist pre-packaged 100 cal snax - that’s FAKE food to me. Love your ideas for snackage - that’s what I’m talking about… REAL food =]
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I love your article. I used to be obsessed with these as well as Smart Ones (meals by weight watchers). I stocked up for a few months on these, however I didn’t lose any weight- because I was still eating terribly. There was nothing to stop me from eating another packet. I am trying a very clean diet now, I try to eat things I would be proud of. I have come a long way. I refuse to bring junk food into the house. If my family buys it, I tell them to avoid eating it infront of me and hide it in the pantry. I admit, I am feeling munchy lately and crave chocolate and chips. I am going to give in, but I plan to buy something that isn’t that yummy. If it’s not my favorite snack, I am less likely to eat a lot of it. Also, I was considering buying these 100 calorie snacks yet again but I will go ahead and portion them out myself.
One thing that bugs me is.. If i portion out 100 calories of a cookie , it might yield say 2 cookies. That doesn’t ever feel satisfying enough vs the mini bag of mini cookies. However I guess those tiny mini ones would equal a big one, so I should think of it that way.
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100% agree! it’s like eating air!
“The packaging of the individual bags also creates more waste.” <— very good point!
Yes - was really excited when 100 Calorie Packs first came out too. In fact, I ate them for a while! (I should’ve added that in the post, duh!). But like you, I found that they definitely increased my cravings for sweets and more “empty calories.”
Beef fat in cupcakes?! VOM.
I agree - I don’t think those snacks should be considered food either…