Yesterday I came across an interesting article on 100-calorie packs! You may have also noticed the Tip of the Day mentioned it too.
Kraft was the first company to pioneer the 100-calorie packs and they made an estimated 75 million off them in the first year alone. Even the Girl Scouts are banking in on the trend. I admit, when I first saw them, I thought they were the greatest idea. The only thing that prevented me from buying them much was the fact that I was a student and couldn’t afford much for groceries. When I did buy the packs I would often eat 3 in one sitting because I just didn’t feel full!
Have you ever opened all of the 100-calorie pack bags and dumped it into a bowl? Not exactly getting the best bang for your buck!
However, that didn’t stop me from buying those 100-calorie chocolate bars- the Cadbury Thin. Eric would say to me each time, “You know you are paying the price of a regular chocolate bar, but they are only giving you half of one?” He was right, and I admitted defeat to the chocolate mastermind.
They even came up with clever ads to market to women only:
But those days are now long behind me. I chose not to buy 100-calorie packs and instead eat whole, real foods free of chemicals, high fructose corn syrup, and the like. It is also so much more cost efficient to buy in bulk, and better yet, to make your own food when possible. And let’s be honest, the 100-calorie packs aren’t doing anything for the environment.
100-calorie packs do work for some people and I know that many people swear by them for potion control. I guess it just depends on the person and what you take from it.
The study mentioned in this article is quite interesting!
- The study, led by researcher Marcia Mogelonsky created two groups of participants
- One group was given 100-calorie packs and the other was given potato chips that were in regular sized bags
- Both groups were put in front of a television
- The results were simple: Participants who were given the 100-calorie packs consumed more food than the group who wasn’t.
- It is thought that when people eat what is perceived to be a ‘diet food’ it gives them a license to eat more and they feel less guilt
I thought these results were really interesting however I think the study is a bit flawed because they should have created a 3rd group who ate from the same size bag as the 100-calorie bag, but didn’t label it as so. This 3rd group could serve as a control to see whether it was in fact the words 100-calorie on the bag that gave them the desire to eat more, or if it was simply the small serving that tricked them into thinking they weren’t eating much.
Today’s question: What are your thoughts on 100-calorie packs? Do you think they are a fad that will soon fade out? Do you see companies creating more 100-calorie packs for different products? Have you ever been lured into buying 100-calorie packs?
I’ve never bought them. I think they are a waste (as far as the packaging is concerned) and don’t taste very good. I do agree that eating out of a big bag is not great either. There’s a huge connection (at least for me) between “There is not more” and “I’m full”. A compromise of going to the kitchen, pouring from the big bag into a dish, eating what’s in the dish, and then evaluating if you want more seems to work for me as far as economy vs. portion control.
I used to buy them but when you eat 2-3 packs at once it kinda defeats the purpose. I actually got rid of a lot of processed foods from my lifestyle. Those 100 cal. packs dont have a place in my life anymore. :)
I have bought them before but not often. I then really started reading the ingredients and realizing that I could not knowingly put all those chemicals in my body. I would rather have something wholesome. 100 calorie packs may have portion control but they come with a big price – terrible ingredients. I find the very act of creating my own food makes me appreciate it more; therefore, I consume it more mindfully.
I lived off these throughout undergrad but now I rarely buy them – they aren’t filling at all and are a total waste of money!
hmm I think it’s a fad…and I did used to buy them alot..but now to save money..if i want those prodcuts I’ll just go for the big box and then porton them in baggies lol..saves alot of money. But as it is, I don’t really crave those products anymore :P
I just portion control for myself? Now, anyways. I totally get the appeal – it’s a treat and it’s only 100 calories! Simple, no work (story of our generation?). But, when I used to buy them (for about a month), I would eat more. Not that I would eat 3 bags in one sitting – but I’d have my ‘Oreos’ every day since 100 calories is nothing, instead of having a treat when I actually wanted one. Plus, the 100-calorie nutritional stat sounds nice, but the ingredients paragraph? Not so much.
Always tempted to buy them but the whole packaging waste always deterred me.
I used to go gaga over those 100 cal packs, but not anymore! I finally got it through my thick skull that I could eat more of other, healthier foods for 100 cals and actually feel like I’ve eaten something! I do still buy them sometimes but not because they’re 100 cal packs….the kids like some of the cookies/crackers, etc and they are great for lunches.
Thanks for another great post!
I bought them in the past, and quickly realized that they were a total waste of money. I’m not big on packaged food anyway, and definitely not a fan of cookies and crackers. I found myself buying them just because they were “100 Calorie Packs”. I was buying food that I would normally never even look twice at. I always completely SKIP the entire cookie/cracker aisle at the grocery store. I can see how people would end up eating more with these.
The one 100 Calorie Pack that I used to buy all the time were the Hostess Cupcakes and coffee cakes. One day on the way home from the store, I ate almost an ENTIRE BOX of them! It was insane. That was the last time that I bought them.
I don’t like 100 calorie snack packs. Even though they are small portions and only 100 calories, doesn’t mean they are “healthy” snacks. They are still processed junk food. Personally, I’d rather snack on something healthier like a piece of fruit, veggies, or nuts.
They’re not very cheap either, considering how much you are actually getting in each pack.
I don’t buy them because they are often $3.50+ just for a box and to me that is a waste. That and the fact that they are loaded with chemicals even though you’re only eating 3 tiny little 100 calories worth of oreos. If I’m going to have a snack, I’ll have some almonds, a cliff bar or an apple. Those are much more filling to me than a crappy pack of oreos that will only leave me wanting more. I agree that it works for some and that is perfectly fine!
I used to be a HUGE fan of the 100 calorie pack. I would have a couple different kinds in my house at any given time and when I would go to the States I would STOCK UP!! I remember coming home after one visit and my fiance said “honey, all you bought was junk food” and I was really offended stating that I needed my “treats”.
Since going gluten, dairy and (mostly) sugar free I’ve cut out the 100 calorie packs as a necessity. I couldn’t be happier! I don’t miss them. I don’t miss the waste. And I don’t miss the feelings of (sometimes) wanting more! They were great for portion control once in awhile, but I really didn’t need them in my life all the time. They really work for some people, but I can definitely see why they would cause others to overeat.
I feel so much healthier these days and my body is truly thanking me for it! When I want a treat I reach for fruit, nuts, coconut ice cream or the occasional gluten free baked good. We all need treats, but we also need moderation.
I get why they can work, but I’ve never bought them and don’t ever plan to. They are too expensive, not foods I normally eat anyways, and I want to control my own portions, thank you. If was in a crazy emotional-eating mode and had those around, I wouldn’t just eat one pack, you know? It’s just a marketing gimmick and a way for those companies to make money!
Hi Angela!! I don’t eat the 100 calorie packs. I try not to purchase processed foods.
By the way….I’ve been following your blog for a couple of days and I love it. Thank you for the great information you have posted. My husband and I tried your green monster last night and it was not at all what I expected – much, much better. I plan on having them for breakfast more often. Thanks again.
Amazing post here. Those 100 calorie packs have bothered me for so long. I regularly house sit for a woman who has about 10 varieties on hand at any given time. Honestly, I hate house-sitting sometimes because she says I can eat her food – but there’s nothing of substance anyway!
I won’t say that I didn’t jump on the 100-calorie pack bandwagon because I did. But you’re right – not enough bang for the buck, and what’s it really doing for you?
I hope this is coherent. Too many thoughts on this subject!
I wrote about this recently, and how frustrating it is that many people would feel less guilty eating one (or more) of these than something like a avocado. It takes away the idea of learning to portion control by hunger and common sense, and wastes SO much packaging! I love making my own trail mixes and putting out what I think I might need in a small bowl. If I need more, I have a bit more, and if I need less I don’t finish the bowl! As for chocolate-it’s best in big chunks-and I portion control by buying a tiny bag from the bulk section (which I can re-use later for snacks).
I hate them. They’re insulting to me, because they’re marketed as “guilt-free” treats. So.. we’re supposed to feel guilty for eating normal treats if we’re dieting or eating healthier? That’s the message I’m getting. No one should be guilty for eating ANYTHING. That’s the kind of crap that can lead an eating disorder on. Even if it does seem harmless, little messages like that from ads, especially when directed towards WOMEN, can really do some damage to someone in the long run.. I don’t like their marketing strategy and I think they cause more problems to dieters then they do actually help.
It’s not cost effeciant, it’s not good for the environment, it’s unsatifying. I’d rather go buy the real stuff and portion out my own goodies then buy that crap, either that.. or not buy those goodies at all! An apple will make me happier then a bite sized cookie any day.
I tried a few varieties of them. As far as portion control goes, they worked for me – I had no problem stopping at one pack. No, they don’t fill you up, but if you are watching your calories and you want a treat, 100 calories is fairly easy to fit into your meal plan.
That being said, the ones that I tried just didn’t taste that great to me, and if I’m going to have a “treat” I want it to be something good, so I don’t buy them anymore.
When I didn’t know much about nutrition I used to think those 100 cal packs were sent from heaven. hah! Knowledge is power, wouldn’t you say?
I used to eat them all the time too, but I agree, it’s so much better to have some real, filling, whole food! Just because it’s only 100 calories doesn’t mean it’s doing your body any good :)
Great post, Angela!