Food Packaging Trend – 100 Calorie Snacks; Smart or Stupid?

We all know that snacking can be good or bad for you depending on
the amount of calories you consume. It is well documented that
eating six small meals to maintain blood sugar levels is
healthier than eating three large ones. Included in a healthy
eating regime are snacks. The problem is what kind of snacks.
Most of what we consider a snack is very high in caloric content.
It’s hard to find a satisfying "low calorie" snack.

Consumer goods companies are entering the healthy snack market
with a bevy of "100" calorie offerings. Now I'm not saying that
all of these are good for you, but they do keep the calorie
content to a minimum. The best part is they count the calories
for you -- especially if you are a little low on will power.

Healthy snacking isn't a fad. It’s about eating things in
moderation. Even if you fall off the wagon and eat more than one
portion, at least you know how many calories you have consumed.

What is a hundred calorie snack? Ask any calorie counter about
100 calorie snacks and you will get a variety of opinions: a
small apple, a piece of string cheese.

Food marketers are happy to pounce on a new opportunity to market
100-calorie treats with a host of new product offerings.
Consumers goods companies are mirco-sizing their products. Every
thing from chocolate to sports bars. They are making money doing
it.

What's happening with the packaging? It has more appeal and touts
less guilt. First, they all say 100-calorie snack. Terminology
such as this on a single-serve reinforces the message.

A few product names you might recognize:
Procter & Gamble launched the Pringles 100 Calorie Pack in August

Kraft Foods Inc. introduced new recipes for its tried-and-true
snacks, all under a new 100-Calorie Pack label.

All these products are included in a "sensible snacking
portfolio" of products. Sounds pretty sophisticated to me.
Whatever 100-calorie snack you consume, remember just because its
only 100 calories doesn't mean it’s good for you. The consolation
is if you do fall of the wagon you won't have fallen very far.