It's All In The Packaging
Love 'em or hate 'em, 100-calorie packs are here to stay. Are you a fan? Environmental and cost issues aside, I do like the idea of using pre-packaged items to control calorie intake. After all, a pre-measured package is an easy way to keep track of how many calories you're consuming. But as with many good ideas, it turns out that how we think about these pre-measured treats determines whether they're used for good -- or not -- as part of an overall healthy eating strategy.
I've sure been there. I've popped open a 100-calorie pack of Chips Ahoy cookies (Melissa, if you're reading this, feel free to skip this paragraph) as an afternoon snack, scarfed the whole bag and then thought, "Those were good...and only 100 calories. I think I'll have another pack." Before you know it, a 100-calorie snack can quickly become 300 or 400 calories (not that I've, ahem, ever eaten four bags in a row!). If it reaches that point, "snack regret" quickly comes on. After all, if I'm going to eat a 300-calorie treat, I'd be better off going all out with my all-time favorite: A Snickers bar. I'd enjoy it much more than cookie shavings.
But enough about me and my junk food obsession...
Still, it does my heart some good to know that I'm not the only one who's fallen victim to the small package mentality. Check out this study that found that people tend to be more likely to eat high-calorie snacks when they come dressed in a small package.
This year -- with school lunches upon me -- I've decided to make my own pre-packaged treats. Healthier cookies and brownies (Cooking Light magazine has some terrific recipes) can be easily wrapped and frozen individually for a nice lunchbox treat or afternoon snack.
The key, of course, is stopping at one. But that's a post for another day.
and now there are 90-calorie packs...soon we will be spending $6 for a handful of 20-calorie pack cookies. And the nation will still be struggling with its weight.
Sorry - don't mean to be a Debbie Downer so early in the am!
Posted by: WeightingGame | August 27, 2008 at 06:39 AM
No need to apologize, Leslie. You make an excellent point -- crazy, isn't it?
Posted by: Dara Chadwick | August 28, 2008 at 05:37 AM
no Dara, I didn't skip that paragraph (chuckle), but I love how you turned that story into a lesson...man your good!
Posted by: Melissa Kirdzik, RD, LDN | September 08, 2008 at 08:53 PM