The Truth About 100-Calorie Packs (And Other Faux Foods)
It really irks me when I read an article about “health experts” praising Nabisco’s 100-Calorie Packs as a smart choice for a snack. You know, the little tiny Oreo bits or mini Cheez-its. These days they even have Twinkie packs for 100 calories.
Some say that they’re a good way to exercise portion control - the idea being that since they’re wrapped up, you’ll only eat that one pack and no more. But take a look at the ingredients - partially hydrogenated oils (trans fat), high fructose corn syrup? Huh? Tell me again that this stuff is healthy?
We’ve become obsessed with faux foods in America. Instead of whole foods, we’re eating things like Cheetos and snack cakes. I don’t consider those foods. Of course the government is on it now and trying to make the snacks “healthier.” Sorry. As long as they’re loaded with bad fats, sweeteners, and preservatives, they’re not healthy!
It’s kind of like people telling me that I’m “deprived” on my low carb diet. We only recently created all this junk. How can I be “deprived” when all these carbed up snacks are completely unneccessary? It reminds me of when I was a kid, seeing some toy on TV that I just “had” to have. Was I deprived if I didn’t have it? No!
Obviously it’s up to the consumer what to choose. But I believe if we all chose natural foods (and I don’t mean cookies in the health food section) we would have fewer problems with obesity.
Claire
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POSTED IN: Claire
3 opinions for The Truth About 100-Calorie Packs (And Other Faux Foods)
Vanessa
Jul 1, 2007 at 1:08 am
Yeah, I hate this too. Health isn’t just about portion control. Knowing that these faux foods are praised makes me wonder if the issue most people have with obesity really is about looks, not health. Because the only thing you’re going to get from eating these is fewer calories. Sure, you’ll lose weight, but what are you really contributing to your health? How many skinny people are walking heart attacks? And anyway, these packs don’t even work for weight loss. If you have the self control to eat just one, you probably aren’t overweight to begin with. (Unless you are heavy for a reason other than overeating.) Seriously, this snack wouldn’t even satisfy you! I’d be hungry again in 2 seconds. Health experts need to do the public a service and quit endorsing these boxed and processed foods.
Claire
Jul 1, 2007 at 1:54 pm
I agree.
>Seriously, this snack wouldn’t even satisfy you!
Right, it’s not like anyone is going to eat the equivalent of half a Twinkie and say, “I’m SO full!”
Claire
Is Counting Calories a Thing of the Past?
Sep 30, 2007 at 2:19 pm
[…] think so. They say that when people focus on calories, they end up consuming low-fat foods (such as 100 Calorie Packs, my nemesis) that are unsatisfying. I tend to agree. I counted calories for years and thought I’d found […]
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