Aug 28, 2008 3:16 pm US/Central
100-Calorie Snack Packs Not Always Smart Choice
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
When you're hungry and on the go the new 100-calorie snack packs lining grocery store shelves look like a great option.
They're big business, too, raking in $200 million last year. But they may not be good for everyone.
The Jackman family has four growing kids, and when they're on the go, they find it easiest to go with fast foods. But, they admit, they've paid the price for their choices by packing on extra pounds.
Now they're looking to make a life change and the 100-calorie snack packs are appealing.
Dietician Traci Thompson says they may help with portion control, but they still aren't' the
"I would consider these foods to be foods that have calories with very little nutrients, so empty calories," Thompson said.
She says these snacks are often smaller, thinner, wafer versions of the originals, and that doesn't always satisfy you.
"Whenever I eat the snack packs, I always want to have more," Kaitlynn Jackman said.
The food companies say these products are designed for those who want the taste of traditional snacks, but with a set amount of calories, and the idea is to eat just one pack at a time.
Thompson says the packs may work for certain families.
"Perhaps families working toward cutting back on their portion sizes where parents still have control over one going into the lunch bag," she said.
But for the rest of us nutrition experts suggest fresh fruits and veggies, a handful of nuts or a low-fat granola bar may make more sense.
The Jackmans believe it's what's best for them for a couple of reasons.
"Dollar for dollar, it's much cheaper doing the natural route and it's better for you."
One other thing to note is that those snack packs are mostly packaging, so they cost up to three times more than snacks in their original, larger sizes.
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