These days, every type of snack imaginable comes in a 100-calorie pack and can be found on store shelves. How do these measure up? And can they fit into a healthy diet?
I think these 100-calorie packs of portion-controlled snacks are brilliant. As long as you eat just one, these mini snack packs solve one of our biggest problems: portion control.
By packaging food in portion controlled, single servings, we can have our cake and eat it too.
The wide range of food packaged this way offers something for everyone. Whether you crave salty snacks, sweet treats, frozen desserts or candy, most people can afford the 100 calories and satisfy their snack cravings at the same time.
These are also a good way to put a quick and convenient treat in your children’s lunch box. They will feel that they’ve enjoyed something fun, and you get to relax knowing the portion size was reasonable. Even mini-sized chocolate bars, the kind that are available at Halloween, can be used for an occasional treat.
Keep in mind, however, that 100 calories doesn’t mean you can get away without reading nutrition labels. Always watch especially for trans fats and high salt content.
Nowadays you can even find 100-calorie packs or smaller portions in the refrigerator section. Cheese, nuts, yogurt and drinks (including wine) are just a few examples of what you can buy in diet-friendly sizes. Some food companies trying to get a leg up even offer 90- or 80-calorie packs.
So evaluate your diet and decide if there is room for one of these in your daily life, and if so, which would be best for you. But remember to always read the ingredients and nutrition labels first.
Lisa Weinberg is a registered dietitian/nutritionist in Toronto, in private practice and at the Genesis Professional Group. You can also follow Weinberg at http://twitter.com/lisaweinbergrd If you have any nutrition questions, please send them to The CJN.
