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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
| Joined: | 24 May 2005 |
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| Posts: | 4179 |
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Posted: 6 May 2007 10:08 pm |
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I just spent three days searching supermarket shelves for items being marketed in 100 calorie packages, and adding them to the Food Calculator. (Look for the 100 Calorie Packs link in the Groceries section.)
So far I have entered data for items made by 14 different companies, and I've just discovered three more I'll be adding soon. You can buy 100 calorie packages of chips, crackers, cookies, muffins, cup cakes, pudding, ice cream and chocolate bars!
Because so many people pay attention only to calories, I doubt that many people will actually calculate these items. Each obviously contains 100 calories. But I am hoping that they will also be interested in protein, fiber, carbs, fat and sodium.
There are a few healthy items, such as popcorn. But obviously most of this if junk food. So I ask you, is this latest diet craze a good thing?
It's certainly convenient for someone counting calories, and for someone that feels they are too busy to package their own (healthier) snacks. And I won't judge what's right or wrong for you or anyone else.
There are times when I could not have kept myself from uncontrollable bingeing without my daily treat, and after more than thirty years battling with food I still find the sweetness of diet soda to be a crutch during difficult times.
However, as you read again and again on this website:
Learning to eat well and exercise is the only solution to long term weight loss.
Perhaps these nifty little packages will help you along the road to a slim, healthy body. But they are not likely to be a part of the long term solution in the end. Before you decide for yourself, it is important to understand a couple of points.
First, a calorie is not a calorie. You could diet on cheesecake by only counting calories and eating very little, but beware the pitfalls. For more information please read The Low Calorie Diet.
Second, people who eat mostly healthy foods often find that they can eat as much as they want without gaining weight. To understand why, please read Why Healthy Food Makes You Slim. Wouldn't you rather eat more than eat less?
Most 100 calorie packages are simply rationing tiny portions of unhealthy foods. Do you think there's a better way?
One thing we know for sure is that they are good for the manufacturers.
Peter
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jillybean720
Senior Member
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Posted: 7 May 2007 04:49 am |
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Peter wrote: It's certainly convenient for someone counting calories, and for someone that feels they are too busy to package their own (healthier) snacks. I am both busy (who isn't, these days) and counting calories, but I still don't eat them. Most of them still contain many of the ingredients I try to avoid (particularly high-fructose corn syrup). I could find much better things to spend 100 calories on. As for being a better choice to quench a craving, I have another problem with them--you can't buy just 1 serving. I REALLY wanted Doritoes last week (not sure where the craving came from, but it was there and it was STRONG). So, I bought the little 100-calorie bags of mini cool ranch doritoes. Well, I ate my 1 pack, just enough to quench my craving, and then I still had 5 more bags. I ended up giving them away to others in my office for fear that I would either eat them ALL at once and not at all have avoided a binge on regular Doritoes, or that I would get too used to eating a pack a day and want to keep buying them (which I'm sure the manufacturers would love, but not so much my waistline nor my wallet).
So yeah, personally, I hate them  They are beyond sub-par nutritionally, and if you have enough self control to only eat 1 serving, then you might as well just buy the real thing and divide the package up into your OWN 100-calorie servings--you'd get more servings for less money by dividing it up yourself, and it takes all of 5 minutes to do so. Back when I wasn't as concerned with nutrition and only worrying about calories, I did this all the time--and that was while working a full-time office job, spending an hour at the gym, and then working another 6 hours each night as a waitress--so yeah, it doesn't take too much time or energy 
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mamabear
New Member
| Joined: | 9 September 2005 |
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| Posts: | 110 |
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Posted: 7 May 2007 06:28 am |
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I use them, but not as a cure all to my weight problem. An Orea snack bar or a 100 calorie ice cream make a dessert that I can fit into my program without as much guilt. I don't eat them regularly.
I *do* eat the 90 calorie Special K bars, usually as breakfast and lunch. Unless we're hiking, they are sufficient for my needs, with a nice dinner. I take several supplements to make up for some of the nutritional lack.
I have noted that on this diet, with those supplements, I have far fewer sugar crashes. (Hypoglycemia and diabetes run in my family, so I watch for that.) For some reason, my asthma has even abated considerably, probably because I'm more fit.
I guess it helps that I don't like at least half of what they have come out with in the 100 calorie snacs . However, anything with chocolate and the cool ranch doritos...
Mamabear (16 pounds lighter)
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miss katz
New Member
| Joined: | 24 January 2007 |
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| Posts: | 261 |
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Posted: 7 May 2007 09:01 am |
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well as far as bad ingredients, alot of people are ignorant of the damage they can cause. I'm aware to a certain point the damage that high fructose corn syrup and other ingredients can cause from what I have read and researched. I read the studies and info, which seems repetitive and yet I continue to eat 'bad' food. I like the 100 calorie oreos, but sometimes I buy the regular 6 pack. I am at a point where I'm deciding whether or not it's worth it to stop eating alot of my favorite junkfoods for the sake of my health. Somewhere in my head I try to find an excuse to tell me it's okay to eat junkfood, because I'm losing weight. I still need to get my numbers straight as far as how risky it is for me to get heart disease. Overtime i have learned not to binge on snacks, I don't know how, i guess I'm more emotionally aware. There are times when if i have a small oreo I want to eat more and more and I get desperate emotionally, but i know that will pass. I wish they would make more 100 calorie packs in every candy or junkfood-we will consume less of it, at least those of us that have learned to control ourselves more. I buy a hershey bar because they don't have smaller ones and I'm not about to buy a bag of minis because I will eat the whole bag. I have become picky in the junkfoods i eat and even though I eat them, I eat less overall because now instead of 5 different junkfood snacks I eat 2 different junkfood snacks. It's too bad the 100 calorie packs usually come in a box, it's almost an invitation to eat the whole box, plus they're expensive. I no longer do boxes of stuff, except entemanns mini box, but I shared half.
Sharing can help you lose weight...
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VYV8
Senior Member
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Posted: 8 May 2007 03:41 am |
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If you have a craving, try to fill it with real food instead of this crapola. Eat an apple, or a tub of diet yoghurt, or something similar. It will fill you better anyway.
If the words 'diet' and 'fad' are used, I would ignore it...
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Cornelia
New Member
| Joined: | 27 February 2007 |
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| Posts: | 19 |
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Posted: 18 May 2007 01:33 am |
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I wonder what they did back in the old days, say 100 years ago, when packaged, manufactured foods like oreos and doritos didn't exist. I suppose one could go to a bakery for a sugar crave. But at least back then there wasn't any artificial ingredients like today. I think many of these artificial flavors and colors, and artificial preservatives, and high fructose corn syrup are very, very addictive. No wonder we can't just have 1 package of 100 calorie snacks. I have no idea what is in these snacks but I avoid them like the plague because the ingredients are probably too scary.  I've read time and time again about the detrimental affects that artificial ingredients have on the body - both as addictive and unhealthy. 
When I gave up foods containing artificial ingredients, my cravings diminished and I started to feel better, and I lost weight. Now I rarely have a sugar crave, and when I do, I eat pineapple, papya, mangos, chocolate (dark chocolate - the healthy kind with 70% cocoa content, organic), or maybe some sips of red wine. I call them my "wonder" foods - because they eliminate cravings and are healthy too. Now, these foods are what I call addictive! I never thought I could be addicted to pineapples and papyas! 
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ericodera
New Member
| Joined: | 7 May 2007 |
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| Posts: | 4 |
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Posted: 20 May 2007 09:34 pm |
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Other Hidden Dangers In Food.
To add to this conversation, a recent article in the Science Daily reported researchers at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute who identified a molecular mechanism in the liver that explains for the first time how consuming foods rich in saturated fats and trans-fatty acids cause elevated blood levels of triglycerides, and they also increase one's risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
Other food additives that folks should be aware of are those that are listed as "natural flavoring"-these include yeast extract, textured protein,soy protein extract and so on. They are collectively referred to as excitotoxins.Here is the scary part; they are agents that bind to a nerve cell receptor, stimulating it, damaging it and eventually cause its death.
And the verse goes on like this" my people perish because of a lack of knowledge".
Last edited on 21 May 2007 03:57 am by ericodera
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Cornelia
New Member
| Joined: | 27 February 2007 |
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| Posts: | 19 |
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Posted: 25 May 2007 01:23 am |
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Great information. Thanks for sharing. The "natural flavors" ingredient is so very deceptive. I'm surprised the FDA or someone in the nutrition/dietary industry has not spoken up about this. I've also heard that msg (monosodium glutenite) is often disguised as "natural flavors." Sometimes you'll find a perfectly good product - all the ingredients are healthy and natural ... and then all the way at the bottom of the ingredient list is "natural flavors." 
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mamabear
New Member
| Joined: | 9 September 2005 |
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| Posts: | 110 |
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Posted: 25 May 2007 07:03 am |
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It just reminds me that when I can, I'll go back to making it myself. At least then, I know what's in it. Our daughter has an intolerance to certain oils, I avoid some additives as I think I'm now allergic to hospitals , and I feel safer that way.
Mamabear (move over, Julia Child)
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 30 May 2007 05:24 am |
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These 100 calorie snack packs are actually what tripped me up this spring. I was diligently counting calories in figuring how many I could have to lose weight and so I was reading the calories on almost everything in the store. I came across these junk food snacks with glee. I was so happy, "look I can have some of my favorite junk foods!" I bought the box of hostess cupcakes and when I opened them I was so disappointed. They weren't the same as the big ones. There wasn't hardly any creme filling. I was disgusted and discouraged because that was how the whole dieting thing felt to me. I had to eat so little with so little to show in my progress and counting the calories had made me obsessed with my food.
I bought the big hostess cupcakes and then ate a couple of them, felt disgusted with myself and gave up the diet. It was making me unhappy. And yet here I am back again, wanting to get in better physical health.
I don't think I can count calories again. It just makes me want to eat more and more because I feel I am depriving myself.
I would do better off trying to eat more fruit and vegetables and lean meats and fish, then doing math all day long to see what I could eat. That is just too much obsessing for me. So I am going to encourage myself to engage in lots of activities like gardening, playing with the kids on the trampoline, bike riding etc, and encourage myself to eat lots of healthy foods instead of telling myself what I can't have. The 100 calorie snack packs are convenient, but they do seem a bit like a "trick" and they can make you "trip".
I'm sure they all stick to your arteries anyway, just like everything else with hydrogenated oils.
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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
| Joined: | 24 May 2005 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 4179 |
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Posted: 30 May 2007 09:59 am |
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Sassykat,
Most people first turn to caloriesperhour.com to use the calculators, and many assume that I believe everyone should be counting calories. What I actually think is expressed in one of the first tutorial topics, The Need to Count Calories.
You are right to do what works best for you at this time.
Peter
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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
| Joined: | 24 May 2005 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 4179 |
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Posted: 30 May 2007 10:02 am |
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This week's newsletter is on the topic of 100 calorie packs. If you don't subscribe (it's free!), you can find it here in the archives:
100 Calorie Packs
Peter
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 31 May 2007 01:07 am |
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Thanks Peter, I do want you to know however that I did not assume you were a "calorie counting pusher". You always seem so very kind in helping people and you always make it clear that you do not want to judge. That is great, you make people feel safe in posting their opinions and experiences.
I realize that the calculators are to help us figure out what is normal and to serve us as a guide, but for a while I did think we were suppose to tally our calories every single day. Maybe if I started out with that knowledge I would never have fallen into my hostess trap. laugh!
I am glad you posted about these 100 cal packs. It is nice to have convenience, but that same convenience is also probably what is making us all heavier. Sigh! Life is complicated.
Also, thank you for creating such a wonderful forum! It is really top notch!
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princess
New Member
| Joined: | 30 May 2007 |
| Location: | VA |
| Posts: | 22 |
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Posted: 31 May 2007 06:36 pm |
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I love the 100 calorie packs of chips ahoy....
Chips Ahoy is my favorite snack and the 100 calorie pack serve the purpose
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ericodera
New Member
| Joined: | 7 May 2007 |
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| Posts: | 4 |
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Posted: 3 June 2007 09:01 pm |
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By the way many experts believe that monosodium glutamate(msg) is addictive and is a significant contributor to the obesity epidemic. The manufacturers have even admitted that it is added to foods in order to enhance their flavor, and to make people eat more! Furthermore, fast food restaurants rely on msg, and everybody knows how addictive fast food is.
Here is more frightening news;other than contributing to unnecessary weight gain, msg can kill neurons(brain cells)!
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seminakedcats
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 3 June 2007 09:44 pm |
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Very interesting read. I have seen those packs, but have resisted for the same reason that many of you have decided to curtail your usage... it's too easy to get back up off the couch and go get another one, and another one, and before you know it, you're reaching into an empty box!
Ericodera- your information is interesting. Are you in medicine? Being in medical research myself, I love a good summary of a journal submission and cold hard fact. Feel free to shoot me off a pm if you're in medicine too and want to compare notes.
Peter, this was a great and very timely thing to add on. I'm sure this string will be read over and over again by new folks. It's so easy to see something that looks like a good idea on paper (or in commercials), and assume it's "THE solution" without thinking it through. Now that I've read all this, I think I'll avoid these all together and use cheese or a glass of wine as a treat or part of my calories for the day. If stranded on a desert island, those are the things I'd want with me before high-fructose corn syrup... although some good maple syrup to put on grubs and bugs might not be bad... 
Kit
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ericodera
New Member
| Joined: | 7 May 2007 |
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| Posts: | 4 |
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Posted: 4 June 2007 08:02 pm |
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Thank you for asking. I am a fitness professional, so it is part of my responsibility to
educate and empower the public on these issues.
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anjan
Senior Member
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Posted: 5 June 2007 04:11 am |
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Cornelia wrote: Great information. Thanks for sharing. The "natural flavors" ingredient is so very deceptive. I'm surprised the FDA or someone in the nutrition/dietary industry has not spoken up about this. I've also heard that msg (monosodium glutenite) is often disguised as "natural flavors." Sometimes you'll find a perfectly good product - all the ingredients are healthy and natural ... and then all the way at the bottom of the ingredient list is "natural flavors."
I bought Glatt Kosher Turkey at Trader Joe's in small print it says Natural Flavoring Added........... What the heck is that?!
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seminakedcats
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 5 June 2007 10:29 pm |
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Good question Anjan!
I have a VERY hard time finding lunch meat and stuff that is real. It seems to me that there shouldn't be a need for an ingredient list if the package says "turkey", but alas, there are often as many ingredients in "turkey" as there are in "Doritos". Yikes! Hormel has a natural brand of lunch meats, which are better, but still have too many ingredients. It's hard to avoid without pulling a Beverly Hillbillies and going out "shootin' at some food". Eww. Even then, how do you know what THAT food has eaten before you got to it? God, it could go on forever!
Meanwhile, I agree with Cornelia (LOVE THAT NAME!), the FDA should regulate down to the word "natural ingredients" because it's become a catchall for thing that may or may not be good. There are a lot of natural things I don't want in my mouth!
Kit
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anjan
Senior Member
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Posted: 6 June 2007 12:59 am |
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seminakedcats wrote: There are a lot of natural things I don't want in my mouth!
Kit
I know! What makes it more confusing is the Kosher Turkey I was buying was raw ground turkey - not cooked or lunch meat. What would they add?
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seminakedcats
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 6 June 2007 01:09 am |
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Hmmm. The plot thickens... I'd call the rabbi that was watching the process and ask him. He should know! That's bizarre. I would have thought that was just "ground turkey".... especially Kosher!! There are very strict guidelines. Well, at least you know there were no pork chops in it! (I know, that was bad)
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Cornelia
New Member
| Joined: | 27 February 2007 |
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| Posts: | 19 |
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Posted: 7 June 2007 05:05 am |
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seminakedcats wrote: Cornelia (LOVE THAT NAME)
Why Thank You! That is sweet of you.
Speaking of deli meats ... folks, I have some more bad news. Some time ago, CNN reported that the FDA approved the proposal for injecting viruses into deli meats in order to curtail "lysteria." Lysteria is a bacteria found in deli meats. The incidents of lysteria is quite low and usually affects pregnant women - BUT - for some reason this was "approved." I don't see how injecting viruses into deli meats doesn't promote potential side affects. If animals were kept in safe, clean, and sanitary conditions, and meat processing plants maintained better and safer packaging standards, the rare incidents of lysteria would be rarer - AND making it unnecessary to inject viruses into deli meats.
Please keep something else in mind concerning deli meats, hot dogs, bacon, sausages, and hams: many of them are "preserved" with sodium nItrate - this is a CHEMICAL - imitation salt. Instead of using good old fashioned sea salt (as our ancestors used in the old days - in fact, my grandmother still preserves her meat in this fashion), sodium nitrate has been replaced because its a CHEAPER alternative for the packaging and manufacturing companies. Sodium Nitrate has been linked to leukemia and a whole host of other conditions as reported on alternative research sites. Whether these findings could be considered uncredible, think of this: the amount of MILLIGRAMS in sodium nitrate is always higher than regular salt. Also - sodium nitrate is a chemical. Made in a chemistry lab. It is artificial.
So between the injection of viruses, sodium nitrates, benzoid-something, "natural flavors", aritficial colors, artificial flavors, and other words we can't pronounce ... it looks like deli meats are just awful for you. Why in the world does the FDA approves this? This is FRANKENFOODS.
There are plenty of alternative manufacturers out there that make excellent deli meats: one example is Applegate Farms. They use salt, spices, water. That's it. It is expensive - but well worth it. If you can't find it in your supermarkets, go to the smaller, independent markets or alterantive markets. you can even ask your grocer to order it for you.
(Sigh) ... I know its so frustrating, isn't it?
I wish you all the best in your endeavors!!
Last edited on 7 June 2007 05:07 am by Cornelia
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mamabear
New Member
| Joined: | 9 September 2005 |
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| Posts: | 110 |
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Posted: 7 June 2007 09:06 pm |
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I've become quite fond of Trader Joe's, though I don't know how widespread the chain is. Most of their products are simple, preservative free (unless you count salt), low fat and low sugar. They are expensive, but I'm learning that you get what you pay for.
For those like me who enjoy cooking, it's not that difficult to make lunch meat; bake a turkey breast or a beef roast (go for the loin or top round, less fat). Slice it when it's cold, or at least after it has rested for 15 minutes, and voila! lunch meat. It might be harder to get shaved slices, but it's still healthy. When I've recouperated a bit more, I'll probably break out the smoker again and smoke a pork shoulder, which tastes a great deal like ham...without the salt or preservatives, unless I add them.
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anjan
Senior Member
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Posted: 7 June 2007 11:31 pm |
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I just bought a turkey breast to make my own lunch meat without all the salt. I am going to roast in a roast bag and slice it as thin as I can. A little extra work, but I think it will be worth it.
I love Trader Joe's too. I don't go often since I have moved. The closest one is 25 miles away . I did find my cereal that I like (Nature's Path Organic Flax Plus Multibran Cereal) was $1.50 cheaper at Trader Joe's than it was at Fred Meyer's.
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seminakedcats
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 8 June 2007 08:31 pm |
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God you guys are ambitious!
I have GOT to learn how to cook... I have no clue what end of a turkey goes up!
Great ideas, thanks for sharing. I get stuck on the lunch meat thing a lot, as it's something I'm capable of making (open package, place on bread, etc), so this is inspiring. I just bought some Hormel natural stuff- also expensive, but better than the salami I was eyeing in the same section!
Kit
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