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?
Yes I buy the 100 cal packs for a few reasons, I am one of these people if the bag is open I will eat the whole bag, the 100 cal packs keep me under control. I also buy them for my kids, its good portion control and a quick snack to keep in the car when we are out and about.
I used to eat them constantly, I would have them as a snack and wonder why they weren’t filling me up! I don’t eat them anymore, but the boyfriend still does sometimes and i am trying to get him to stop!
“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”
I totally agree! Now THAT would have been interesting.
I think 100 cal packs are good if you have a bad time with portion control — if not, you are right they are a waste!
We don’t have 100 calorie packs here in the UK (or at least I haven’t seen them!) I’m going to the States next week and I have to admit, I’m intrigued. Like Janette above, if I were to open a BIG pack of any less-than-healthy snack (or worse, a healthy one!) I’d probably just keep scoffing them without noticing, so I can see the appeal of a portion control (perhaps for keeping in the office drawer for those emergency moments when anything other than chocolate is just not an option and I haven’t had time to bake!) I agree about the environmental advantages of buying in bulk with less packaging – I try to buy a large pack of something and then re-package into small ziploc bags that I re-use, to take my snacks to work. By the way, Angela, my husband is totally converted to homemade granola bars now! I can’t wait to try the peanut butter version. He has one as an energy booster before biking home from work.
I use to be a huge consumer of the 100 calorie packs. I think I bought every flavour. But after you eat a couple you realize-their disgusting. Their is a reason that they only have 100 calories-I think their made out of cardboard. So I stopped buying them for the most pat-the exception is the chocolate covered pretzel 100 calorie packs. I have no self control when it comes to chocolate covered pretzels so I like the packs for them-as well as their the exception to the 100 calorie cardboard food.
I used to buy them all the time, but I was never satisfied. I was also one of the people who thought “oh well it’s a diet food so I have license to eat more” and I spent a lot of energy counting my calories.
Now, I make things like bars and snacks myself. They are full of whole foods and nutrients and I do NOT know exact calorie amounts so I have to rely on my feelings of satiety. The good news is that I tend to be satisfied much sooner b/c I am eating nutrient rich foods and I appreciate eat bite more b/c it’s not full of air or no-calorie chemicals.
Great topic!!
Good post! I don’t think that the 100-calorie trend will go away any time soon. It’s just way too marketable. I think that the idea isn’t a terrible one. . . it’s just not one that works very well in helping people reach larger health-goals.
I have something I’m going to send you, I think you’ll find it interesting! You’ll have mail from my work address in a few minutes!!
This is off topic but I had a GM this morning (I commented yesterday how I’m trying your Project Glo this month) and it is a great hangover cure! I know it’s not it’s intended purpose but in between my GM this morning and my Gatorade, I am feeling really good. Which considering last night I had a bottle of wine and 4 shots, combined with less than 5 hours of sleep, I think is miraculous! A heads up for anyone who’s going out this weekend :)
I definitely fell into the trap. Those packs were just coming out when I was on my WW weight loss journey. Typical of most beginner dieters I was only looking at calories and points, and not at what I was actually eating.
Eventually I stopped buying them…first, due to cost (rip-off!), second due to waste (all those little packages!!), and third because I clued in that REAL food is better than any packaged FAKE food. :)
Ugh, I hate 100 calorie packs! They drive me crazy :) I used to use them a lot too and ALWAYS felt unsatisfied from them. My parents often buy a box and finish the entire thing in one night!
I hate the way companies try to market them to people too. I’m very frustrated with the food industry 90% of the time. All these “hidden” trans fats and chemicals make a girl want to eat nothing but veggies!
I hope 100 calorie packs are a passing fad, but it seems like new ones come out every day. I always shake my head and sigh when my husband points them out at the grocery store!
You are right, they are not very economical or environmentally friendly either. BOO 100 calorie packs!
Hey guys! Look what Mara sent me- it’s all the foods you can eat for just 100 calories (and the serving size) Super fun!!
Here it is:
The Most Filling 100 Calorie Packs!
1/4 0f an avocado
1.75 cups apple slices
1 medium banana
1 cup grapes
2 cups berries
1.5 cups sliced peaches
1.25 cups orange sections
1.25 cups blueberries
2 cups diced watermelon
1 cup sliced pears
1.33 cup diced pineapple
1.5 cups raspberries
1 cup cherries
2 large kiwi fruit
3 clementines
4 cups cherry tomatoes or 10 plum tomatoes or 3 large beefsteak tomatoes
1 medium baked sweet potato
1 small baked white potato
2 cups carrot strips or slices
12 cups torn lettuce
10 large broccoli spears
8 cups sliced cucumbers
5.5 cups sliced bell or sweet peppers
5 cups whole raw mushrooms
32 spears cooked asparagus
2.5 cups cooked green beans
80 snow or sugar snap pea pods
4.5 cups mixed vegetable salad (without dressing)
1/2 cup cooked grain/rice/pasta (most, bulgur is 3/4s cup)
1 jumbo hard boiled egg
20 large boiled or steamed shrimp
2 oz chicken breast meat (a little more than 2 oz)
2 oz sirloin steak (a little less than 2 oz)
0.75 cup plain fat free yogurt
3 cups air popped popcorn
Angela
I think they are good and bad…. good that they might help make consumers become more aware of what portion sizes are supposed to look like, but like you said, they are more expensive and I don’t like how much waste they create with the extra packaging. It would make more sense and to buy something and divvy it up into 100 calorie portions your own containers at home, that you can wash and reuse… this could work for anything, prepackaged snacks or better yet, fruits and vegetables! Do this with produce, all you’d need is a calorie counting book or website and a scale or some measuring cups!
I used to eat them as well. But since I started reading more (especially your blog!), I discovered a few almonds will fill me up and tatse better, or organic 85% dark chocolate will satisfy my sweet tooth, but is too bitter to overindulge in.
That being said, I think the 100 calorie idea is beneficial to people who need that control of the individual wrapping. I still struggle if I have baking chocolate chips in the house. The more I come to understand my hunger the more I can move beyond the 100 cal pack (and proud of it, I also felt like I was buying into a fad). But I think many people struggle with portion control. It may not be nutritionally amazing, but if you are willing to see it as a stepping stone to think about portion control, then that is a good thing. Great post!
yeah, that list is awesome! It’s been on the WW site for a while now. IT has some great ideas!
I’ve bought some of the 100 calorie packs, but they do NOT fill me up at all! Plus, you are just paying more for something you could buy and separate into single servings yourself.
I’m hoping it kind of dies down – I get that people like having convenient packs of things, but it’s not so great when you eat 3 because you’re still hungry.
I’ve even seen 100 calorie packs of DOG TREATS!!! that is ridiculous.
I’ve never subscribed to 100 calorie packs, but I do like “portion controlled” snacks. Who said 100 calories is the right amount of calories for a snack? It’s not. However, I do like some things in individual baggies – not necessarily 100 calories, like bars & nuts. I go a little crazy with nuts if they are not portion controlled.
i’ll be honest, i was absolutely obsessed with 100 calorie packs at the worst of my struggle with disordered eating.. though they were never filling for me.. i would restrict myself to only eating one and then ignoring my hunger.. i think in my many ways 100 calorie packs led me to become consumed with calories and contributed a lot to restrictive behavior.. i cared way too much about portion control and making sure i was only getting in 100 calories and honestly didn’t care at all that they were will with sugars and high fructose corn syrup.. i can proudly say that i am at a point in my life where i’ve strayed from 100 calorie packs and will only eat them occasionally because they are great for on the go snacks.. especially the 100 calorie pack almonds :)
thanks for this post girl. .definitely interesting and made me a lot more aware of my past tendencies.
I have eaten them before. Not much now. I’m not sure about the other ones, but with the sun chips, a 100 cal pack is actually a smaller serving than with the regular sized bag. Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.
I have been guilty of eating the 100 calorie packs. But as I become more aware of my body, and how to treat it, I am finding that there are a plethora of other more filling options for me to it.
Hi Angela!- I drink green smoothies (thanks to you!) but lately i have been skipping the milk!! it tastes just as amazing to me.. Today i did one banana, 2 Tbsp of powdered Peanut butter and lots of spinach + ice.. Just wondering is there a nutritional reason you add the milk? Mine stil came out in complete smoothie form.. i got this idea after being in europe where they make smoothies with just fruit + ice.. no milk/yogurt!! it tastes just as amazing in my opinion!
I did try my first GM’s with no milk- they were all veggie and I definitely didn’t have the right combo down! I should experiment a bit more without milk to see what kind of combos I can come up with! No real nutritional reason I add the almond or soy milk, I just like the taste :) ~A