100 calorie packs....good or bad??

ericalyn93

I'm just starting out on my diet, so I need to learn portion control...but how often should I be eating the 100 calorie packs? Are they even good for me? Or do I need to kick 'em to the curb???

diddyk

I'm personally not a big fan of the 100 calorie packs...there are a lot better ways to get my calories that are more filling. But they are good for a sweet treat when you need it.

callikia

I personally don't eat the things because 1) they aren't filling or satisfying to me and 2) they seem like nutritional garbage to me. Instead, I pick my favorite treats and make my own snack size bags. Look at the serving size (they give you little hints sometimes - like 27 crackers for Cheez-its) and portion that out into some snack size bags until the box is gone...then I shove the baggies back in the box. That way I have to consciously decide to eat more than one serving. More filling. If I want an oreo, I don't want a cookie that might taste a little like it, I want a friggin' Oreo cookie! ...but that's just me.

westhighlandterror

Callikia: That is a great idea!

Starlage

I LOVE the 100 calorie packs. I think they're totally fine once a day as long as you're planning the calories and macros into your day. I personally can't get through the day successfully without a treat after dinner so if it's not a 100 calorie pack it's something like sugar free pudding, sugar free candy or super dark chocolate. I personally don't think MFP's goal is to cut things out... everything in moderation right? So if you need a treat like I do to get through the day go ahead and eat those 100 cal packs! But like I said, you have to plan them into the day. (i log everything in the morning so that I know what I've got room for)

Tiffaney82690

I love 100 calorie packs! I actually ate one with my breakfast and I think if you get the right ones they're great but dont eat them too often maybe with one meal a day or as snacks twice a day something like that. When you are eating things like 100 calorie packs they are really just a miniature version of the real thing and a small portion so youll want to watch your carb and sodium intake a little since they're no different from the real thing!

oh! and my current favorite are the quaker rice cake delights with chocolate drizzle they really (HONESTLY) fill those chocolate cravings for me and the portion seems big! only 90 cals a pack I love eating them with breakfast or just for snacks

jenhenning219

I personally don't eat the things because 1) they aren't filling or satisfying to me and 2) they seem like nutritional garbage to me. Instead, I pick my favorite treats and make my own snack size bags. Look at the serving size (they give you little hints sometimes - like 27 crackers for Cheez-its) and portion that out into some snack size bags until the box is gone...then I shove the baggies back in the box. That way I have to consciously decide to eat more than one serving. More filling. If I want an oreo, I don't want a cookie that might taste a little like it, I want a friggin' Oreo cookie! ...but that's just me.

i do the same thing i will get a big bag of carrots and portion them to the serving size same with my triscuts, i only eat the serving sizes of things if i portion them out i tell my self that there is no more left

sonjawi

They help me with portion control. For example, if I eat an Emerald 100 kcal Walnuts and Almond bag I know I ate 100 kcal. If I have a normal emerald bag of nuts, I tend to eat much more. Sweet 100 kcal packs might not be of high nutritional value, but if it helps you with fixing your sweet tooth, go for it. A bag of carrots for sure does not help me to substitute for a cookie. I tend to eat the carrots and then the cookie on top *lol*

cecilia0909

I always want more after eating one of those so I stopped buying them. Personally I'd rather have a bowl of berries or some veggies.

rwd5046

I always want more after eating one of those so I stopped buying them. Personally I'd rather have a bowl of berries or some veggies.

I agree, they give just enough to tease you.

Acg67

I'm just starting out on my diet, so I need to learn portion control...but how often should I be eating the 100 calorie packs? Are they even good for me? Or do I need to kick 'em to the curb???

You can't label foods as "good" or "bad" without knowing how they fit into the context of your total diet

MeghanAM

This month, a recipe website is doing home-made "100 calorie snacks" that look more enjoyable than those little packets:
http://www.myrecipes.com/healthy-diet/calorie-counts/month-of-100-calorie-snacks-10000001695507/index.html?viewdate=1_1_2012

Sometimes I will buy the prepackaged snack things though, if I'm really craving Cheeze-its or whatever. I find that I tend to stumble on my eating plans more if I really want something but won't allow myself to have some.

Marll

Processed garbage, in my honest opinion.

tangal88

I pick my favorite treats and make my own snack size bags. Look at the serving size (they give you little hints sometimes - like 27 crackers for Cheez-its) and portion that out into some snack size bags until the box is gone...then I shove the baggies back in the box. That way I have to consciously decide to eat more than one serving. More filling. If I want an oreo, I don't want a cookie that might taste a little like it, I want a friggin' Oreo cookie! ...but that's just me.

yep, same here. read the package. look at serving size and cal amount, decide if I have room for it in my meal plan today, and how well I am meeting my macros - then measure out a portion, close the box and put it away, and eat if needed. Usually, for me, a substitute does not help. I eat it - and still crave the "real thing" - so what did I accomplish? Nothing, and I am depressed. And still eat the darn real cookie. LOL

Better to eat the darn cookie the first time, if I really want it.

Now I do have some of low cal versions around on a few items, for example the Skinny Cow Heavenly Crisp Bar which tastes similar to a Kit Kat, and I really like the flavor, as they are not quite as rich. KK can be to much many times for me.

And I have some Vitatop Chocolate Muffin Tops in the Freezer, for an occasional fix, with some peanut butter spread on top. But sometimes, I just need a real muffin.

But generally, I just have "real" foods, and pick the appropriate serving size.

I personally also have a free day once a week, where I can give in to the item I am craving, if I must. Keeps me from feeling deprived.

joyfulnoise100

I personally don't eat the things because 1) they aren't filling or satisfying to me and 2) they seem like nutritional garbage to me. Instead, I pick my favorite treats and make my own snack size bags. Look at the serving size (they give you little hints sometimes - like 27 crackers for Cheez-its) and portion that out into some snack size bags until the box is gone...then I shove the baggies back in the box. That way I have to consciously decide to eat more than one serving. More filling. If I want an oreo, I don't want a cookie that might taste a little like it, I want a friggin' Oreo cookie! ...but that's just me.

I have also done that and it's PERFECT. Also helps me to resist the temptation of having more than one serving at a time.

hottottie11

a tease...nobody like a tease

Stacyanne324

I buy the cookie ones so on the rare occaision I feel I have to have something sweet with my evening tea I can have easy portion control. I also love the Wholly Guacamole 100 calorie packs. It's an easy way to have a single serving and not waste the whole big package.

gorgeouss9

Make your own 100-calorie pack! Buy zip lock bags (sandwich kind, or the snack ones) and put in carrots, edamame, nuts, dried fruit, etc. inside of each. I usually put in healthy options as well as chips , chooclate, cookies - to keep things easy

TheSarahHill

I personally don't eat the things because 1) they aren't filling or satisfying to me and 2) they seem like nutritional garbage to me. Instead, I pick my favorite treats and make my own snack size bags. Look at the serving size (they give you little hints sometimes - like 27 crackers for Cheez-its) and portion that out into some snack size bags until the box is gone...then I shove the baggies back in the box. That way I have to consciously decide to eat more than one serving. More filling. If I want an oreo, I don't want a cookie that might taste a little like it, I want a friggin' Oreo cookie! ...but that's just me.

Nice one girl!

ljasinski

I've just starting MFP this week and know it's going to be hard for me , but I've I'm trying the fresh fruit for each time I start to get a craving.

cydonian

Good on calories, bad for your wallet. Save money and portion food out yourself. They charge you a premium to do it for you.

mammafrog

I personally don't eat the things because 1) they aren't filling or satisfying to me and 2) they seem like nutritional garbage to me. Instead, I pick my favorite treats and make my own snack size bags. Look at the serving size (they give you little hints sometimes - like 27 crackers for Cheez-its) and portion that out into some snack size bags until the box is gone...then I shove the baggies back in the box. That way I have to consciously decide to eat more than one serving. More filling. If I want an oreo, I don't want a cookie that might taste a little like it, I want a friggin' Oreo cookie! ...but that's just me.

I do the same thing. I find snacks me and my kids like (wheatables crackers, honey wheat pretzel twist, grapes, goldfish, ect) and bag them up. I keep bags in my glove boxes, diaper bags, and everywhere I can. That way if I get a little hungry when out and about I just open my glove box and grab a snack. I look for the ones where I get several pieces for a low amount of calories. Example: 10 great value honey wheat braided pretzel twist is only 110 calories

glassyo

I love 100 calorie packs whether they be already portioned out or I have to do it at home. While I eat better than I used to before counting calories, I still eat crap and I will continue to eat crap. But before 100 calorie packs, one or two lorna doones wouldn't do it for me and I could go for a whole sleeve before I'd stop. This way I can have 8 or so bite sized lorna doones and feel like I've had more and I know I'm done once the package (not the box) is empty.

Starlage

I love 100 calorie packs whether they be already portioned out or I have to do it at home. While I eat better than I used to before counting calories, I still eat crap and I will continue to eat crap. But before 100 calorie packs, one or two lorna doones wouldn't do it for me and I could go for a whole sleeve before I'd stop. This way I can have 8 or so bite sized lorna doones and feel like I've had more and I know I'm done once the package (not the box) is empty.

perfect way to put it! ditto )

babspress

I don't care for the 100 calorie packs myself...not satisfying enough for me...I prefer to snack on low fat popcorn or fat free pretzels. My main thing is to just watch my calorie intake and know that I am only allowed so many calories a day and that if I eat that bowl of ice cream, I prob won't have enough calorie allowance left over to even be able to eat dinner....eat what you love, just in moderation

TeaBea

If I was extremely successful with portion control - I wouldn't need to be here. I use 100 packs as rewards. At the end of the day I can have Oreo thins OR Chips Ahoy thins ...... provided I am within my daily calorie limit.

I don't look at losing weight as a "project" ..... If I'm going to keep weight off (for good) I know I have to make lifesyle changes. I'm not ready to have an entire bag of Chips Ahoy cookies in the house (yet).

Shoechick5

I don't think they're bad every now and again, problem with them is when you have 10 because they're ONLY 100 calories. If i'm totally craving something salty, then ok grab one, but I try to spend the 100 somewhere else if given a choice.

Grokette

I'm just starting out on my diet, so I need to learn portion control...but how often should I be eating the 100 calorie packs? Are they even good for me? Or do I need to kick 'em to the curb???

They are nothing but cheap, processed, nutritionally void food. They are horrendously bad for you as are all processed foods.

swimmchick87

I like the sweet ones. I have no control with boxes of cookies and such.

For a salty 100 calorie snack though, I love the 100 calorie bags of popcorn. It's still a big snack (not a little tiny thing like the normal 100 calorie bags) and very satisfying.

JennetteMac

I'm guessing 100 calorie packs are an American thing. Don't know that I've seen them in deepest, darkest Somerset.
Sound like a useful idea for an occasional treat though.

jamja

If you can't pronounce the listed ingredients, well then it's not food. Your body can't digest it. So don't eat it.