Everyone has seen the TV commercials for these 100 calorie packs of Cheese Nips, Oreos, Chips Ahoy cookies, and what not. Anyone who's tried them knows that they're pretty expensive for not very much food and they don't taste all that good.
I discovered one day at the grocery by comparing the nutrition info on the 100 calorie pack Cheese Nips and the Reduced Fat Cheese Nips that the latter had a serving more than twice as large as the 100 calorie packs for only about 120 calories and 1 gram of fat more than the 100 calorie packs and they taste like the "real thing".
You could simply buy a box of the Reduced Fat Cheese Nips and measure out your own 100 calorie packs into ziplock bags (which can always be reused) as soon as you get home (just put a few less in your bag than is a serving to equate 100 calories) to keep you from eating half the box at a sitting, which is really the only convenience the 100 calorie packs offer. Sounds like sensible indulgence to me!
By Kathleen
I think the packs are great for limiting the amount of the snack you eat. It is better than sitting with the box of Cheese Nips, for example, and going out of control. For me, they are quick and an easy way to control my portions. (02/10/2005)
By Richelle
Simply serving snacks in a dish is an easy way to limit consumption as well. Place a reasonable amount of chips or crackers in a bowl or on a plate and leave the box or bag in the kitchen. When you get done with the snack you can decide whether you want more. This also works good with kids. (02/10/2005)
By Fletcher
If you want to mess with those baggies, that's fine. But, for those of us in the real world, we'll take the 100 cal packs. Sure, we might pay a few more pennies per ounce, but we also can't sneak any extra in while re-filling! I don't mind paying for the convenience. (03/30/2005)
By Rob
100 calorie packs might be convenient, and some of you might even be willing to pay more for the convenience and be ok with something that probably does not taste as good as the original - but there is something deeper than that.
It is the fact that these are not nutritionally sensible as a snack because the calories they contain are "empty". People would be so much better off having something like a peanut butter sandwich or an apple because they have a much better "Calorific Payload".
Thanks! Eat Healthy! (08/19/2006)
By Fitness Mantra
I've found some of the 100 calorie packs are actually better than the original food item. I love the special K crisps in the packs, but can not tolerate the snack bars they sell. As for the other foods, some are better and some are not. If I don't like the thinner, crisper taste, I buy the larger package and make my own; but to be honest at times the snack bags, the food, AND my time add up to much more than the 100 calorie bags would of cost.
By Jeri
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