Americans spend over $23 billion dollars on weight loss products per year. So there’s no doubt the dieting industry is a booming business and everyone wants a piece of the pie. 100 calorie snack packs are a fairly recent marketing ploy manufactured by major food corporations. Companies are cashing in on the concept of marketing junk food in convenient little bags to the tune of a whopping $150 million. Consumers are now being given the misleading impression that foods like Oreos, Ritz crackers, Chips Ahoy, Pringles and other snack food products are suddenly nutritious simply because they’ve downsized the packaging.
Selling these products in 100 calorie portions doesn’t make them any more nutritious. The fact is these snacks and others like them still contain the same “empty calories” as they always have. The manufacturers are simply saying that we, as consumers, can’t control our eating habits so they’ll do it for us. In addition, although these products are labeled as having 0 grams of trans fat they still list hydrogenated oil, which is laden with trans fat, on the ingredient list. Companies are exploiting the fact that the FDA allows food manufacturers to list 0 grams of fat if the amounts of trans fat is less than 0.5 grams per serving. And studies show that smaller packaging means less staying power, eventually leading to more frequent eating.
So what’s a consumer to do? Nutritionists agree that the best snack foods are still the same as always. Fruits, vegetables, nuts and small containers of low fat or no fat yogurt are all excellent alternatives to empty calorie junk food. They can easily be divided up and packaged into small portions and be taken to work or school. And when only ice cream or cake will satisfy a sweet tooth indulge yourself with small portions. Have a small piece of cake or one ice cream bar. And resign yourself to stop there. The key is to remember that it’s okay to reward yourself with a treat now and then as long as it’s done in moderation.
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