The 100 Calorie Conundrum

Now that paying close attention to portion sizes -- and, specifically, downsizing -- has become a mainstream weight-loss trend, food companies are consistenly launching a variety of sweet and salty snack fare in "on the go" 100-calorie bags.

Sounds like the perfect solution, right? Now you can enjoy Chips Ahoy, Doritos, Oreos, and even Hostess cupcakes in 100-calorie servings.

While enjoying a treat and knowing exactly how many calories it contributed to your day is a much better way of practicing calorie control than digging into a large bag and "guesstimating" how much you're eating, these calories should still be considered "bonus" ones.

After all, these products do not deliver much of a nutritional punch.

Does everything we eat have to be a five-star health food? Absolutely not. Treats have a place in every diet.

Remember, one of my main philosophies is that food should be enjoyed. Once it becomes a rigid, boring, tasteless punishment, you're down the wrong path.

However, I was recently talking to a friend who told me how much she loves 100-calorie packs.

So much so, she revealed, that she has three a day -- one as a morning snack, one as an afternoon snack, and one before going to bed.

Yes, she knows I am writing about her. I have her full permission to do so.

The problem isn't her caloric intake. After all, it was through these 100-calorie packs that she was able to immediately eliminate 350 calories from her diet.

However, these 300 calories are basically empty -- they aren't contributing much to her nutrient intake.

I recommended she integrate one 100-calorie pack treat to her day (I specifically suggested she have it after dinner as en end-of-day goodie).

The other 200 calories should instead come from more nutritious snacks like a piece of fruit (an easy way to get a serving!), a cup of edamame, a food bar, or a cup of yogurt (not laden with sugar, of course).

This way, at least two snacks are providing fiber, phytochemicals, healthy fats, and high-quality protein.

By the way, if you're going to partake in pre-packaged 100-calorie snacks as a treat, I recommend the Chips Ahoy thin crisps -- they're quite tasty and have excellent texture.