OK, short and sweet is the theme of the day. Two things caught my attention last week, both of which centered on calories. I know most of us hate calorie counting…I can attest that I’m not a fan, but I am actually doing my best do so because I think I’m at a stage in my weight loss where it matters. I will certainly concede that it is not for everybody.
The first item came from a blog post on Yahoo from Lucy Danziger, editor-in-chief of SELF magazine. I am not familiar with SELF at all, but obviously the title caught my attention…
Lose Weight Without Counting Calories
OK, well this will be completely obvious to just about anyone who has a pulse. Let me briefly reiterate her tidbits: 1) pick up produce, 2) snack smart, 3) sip more water, 4) map out your meals, 5) eat every meal. With no disrespect intended for Ms. Danziger, it seemed the the first utterance out of my mouth was, “duh.” Is it that simple? I think it can be…though we know it usually takes much more than that to get real results.
The second item is still in the same ballpark, but with a twist. I am an alumnus of Arizona State University and on occasion I’ll check the website out to see what’s new. Last week I came across a press release for a recent study done by the W.P. Carey School of Business…
ASU Study: 100-calorie packs makes dieters eat more
Slightly intriguing, no? I think there is clear face validity here…doesn’t it make sense that our minds often focus on the quantity we eat over the content? Well, let me put it this way…I get what they’re saying, but I don’t know if I always buy it. I think there’s a problem here with external validity in terms of the study. They used M&Ms and Mini M&Ms and I just think that some other food combos should be tried out before a b-school tells the world what’s up with how people perceive and eat their calories. When I think of 100-calorie packs, I think of the little, low-fat Oreos or packages of Wheat Thins. We don’t get them often in our house, but when we do, I think it’s understood that you still just eat…one. I don’t like diet food in the first place…I prefer to eat regular food with extreme moderation and monitoring…but hey, that’s just the way I prefer it.
So, now, I throw it to you…what are your thoughts on calorie counting and 100-calorie packs?
6 comments
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September 4, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Lynn
Oh, I gotta say, I hate those little 100 cal packs.
I don’t think they make me eat more, exactly, but they’re not very good for dieting/food plan/”lifestyle change”/insert your favorite word for what it is we’re all doing here.
They’re great, at first, because it’s so simple. 100 calories for a treat. 2 points, if you do Weight Watchers. They’re already pre-packaged, so if you are paying attention to points/calories whatever, but have a low willpower, your portion control is already in place.
However:
They’re not particularly tasty. The oreo cookie ones are particularly nasty. I’d rather just have a dang Oreo.
They’re exceptionally expensive for what it is you’re getting. Example: potato chips. You get 6 tiny bags of 100 cal chips for $4. If you buy a bag of chips and divide them up yourself into sandwich bags, you get 10 or 12 bags for the same $4.
They are junk food. Just because they’re portion controlled doesn’t make them good for you in the slightest. They’re just empty calories. They have nothing resembling nutrition in them. It’s mostly flour and sugar and congealed oils. Yuck.
Also, I was so desperately afraid of being hungry in the evening that I skimped on food all day so that I’d have leftover points/calories at the end of the day, and then not really know what to do with them, so I’d have a few of the 100 cal packs… didn’t work for me losing weight AT ALL.
We don’t buy them any more. If I want chips, I’ll buy a bag of chips and enjoy my treat, rather than eat a bag of not-quite-chips all the time. I’m happier with the real snack, and I don’t indulge as often, which makes it a real treat and not just something to shovel into my mouth.
September 4, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Annette
I do not count calories but I am aware of them. I have a general feel for how many I should be eating daily. I try to focus on choosing healthy foods in moderation so I know what I’m eating most of the time is good for my body. I stay away from packaged foods, including 100 calorie packs, because I would rather put 100 calories of something more nutrient dense in my body. But, that’s just me
September 6, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Jolynn
I agree with Lynn, mostly. I’d rather have a dang Oreo too. But my problem is I can’t stop with just one dang Oreo! So I either have to never have Oreos, (since I would eat the whole package) or eat the semi nasty (I don’t think they’re THAT bad) 100 cal pack. I too am doing weight watcher’s, but I don’t really buy the 100 cal packs very often. Lynn is right that they are not the least bit nutritious, and they are very pricey for what you get. I would rather eat some really good fruit. But chips are a whole other thing. I ADORE chips of all kinds. They are better than chocolate to me. So I never buy them. And the nasty 100 cal pack ones would not suffice. Best for me to abstain.
September 8, 2008 at 7:49 am
angie
I HAVE NEVER BEEN A CALORIE COUNTER … Perhaps that is why I am in the condition I am in… I am just starting this whole “checkin out the weightloss thing” so , please forgive my ignorance regarding the calorie counting and wieghing the food and all the things I hate so far about having to diet… if anyone has any ideas about how i can start lovin’ this please … mail me ,I am desperate to love it. I can’ get much bigger … I’m pushing maximum density, and IT SUCKS!!!!
seriously… HELP!
September 14, 2008 at 12:20 pm
spidermanfightscancer
Thanks for all your help, I finally got it up and running at http://www.spidermanfightscancer.com – I can’t wait for the next post. Good job on your recent weight loss. Inspiring thousands!
October 10, 2008 at 9:16 am
weight loss kate
I don’t calorie count but I do check those easy colour cordinated ingredients to make sure that something doesn’t have too many calories in one sitting or too much salt. I do want to lose weight and be healthy so I do take it seriously.