100-Calorie Snack Packs

The concept of the 100-calorie snack pack had become quite popular these days. You can get everything from cookies to crackers, even soda in small packages that equal about100 calories. The question is, are these packs the best way to control your diet? Are there better options out there?

The first issue with the 100-calorie snack packs is the serving size. While it may seem like a great idea to have a snack limited to 100 calories, the reality is that the serving size for these snacks is so small that most people would not be satisfied with just one. At least in the case of Nabisco, each pack contained less than one ounce of actual food product. The obvious risk here is that you may be tempted to eat more than one, defeating the whole concept.

Cost is also a factor when considering the snack pack. Consumers will spend more per ounce on the pre-packaged snack packs. Regular-sized packages of the same product have the same nutrient value as their pint-sized counterparts. This means that you can spend less money if you are willing to do the math yourself to control the portions. You are being charged in essence, a convenience fee for the 100-calorie packaging. Portion control does require more effort if you are doing it on your own, but it does allow you the freedom to eat any snack food. You aren't limited to only the companies that package snacks in this way.

Are the snack packs nutritious? Sure they may be only 100 calories, but does that mean they are good for you? They still contain fat (sometimes up to 40 calories from fat) and no real vitamin content. The calories in junk food will always be empty calories, whether you eat 100 calories or 1,000. The fact is that junk will always be junk for your body, no matter how much or how little you consume.