Seeing is Not Believing Part 9

Fewer calories? Greater Profit!

They contain only 100 calories per bag: potato chips, cookies, fruit drinks, flavored popcorn, and dozens of other products. Originally this marketing trend was advertised for kids’ lunch bags – give them the snacks they want, but control the amount of calories they get. Does it work? Not at all.

The products in the 100-calorie packages are the same items that are found in the larger bags. They contain the came number of calories per ounce (or serving), the same amount of fat, the same amount of salt. The only differences are that they are packaged in smaller bags and cost considerably more per ounce.

If, as they are presented, these products are only used as a child’s snack, then one can argue that there is merit in them (if money and health was not considered). Children, and adults, that are given a full-sized bag will eat as much as they can. If the bag is of limited size, they can only eat what is in that bag. Unless they feel unsatisfied and reach for a second, or third package.

They are the lazy mom’s solution. It is far less expensive, and far better for the child, to purchase a store-brand box of zip-seal bags (around three cents each and reusable) and select only the healthy snacks you really want your child to have: low calorie, low fat, low sodium. In addition, you can give them a greater variety, including different items every day.

According to netgrocer.com (http://netgrocer.com/), here are a few comparison prices:
Chips Ahoy! Candy Bites - 100 Calorie Packs: $2.29 a bag (.59 an ounce)
Chips Ahoy! Cookies - Candy Blasts – full size bag: $3.56 (.25 an ounce)
Less than half the price

Oreo Candy Bites - 100 Calorie Packs: $2.59 a bag (.55 an ounce)
Oreo Cookies - Reduced Fat Chocolate Sandwich: $4.04 (.22 an ounce)

Pop-Secret Microwave Popcorn - 100 Calorie Premium Butter: $6.39 (.64 an ounce)
Pop-Secret Microwave Popcorn - 94% Fat Free Butter: $3.85 (.42 an ounce)
ShopRite Microwave Popcorn - Light Original: $1.79 (.20 an ounce)

In every example above, and in every 100-calorie pack we cound find, even taking into account the extra cost of packaging and shipping, the promoted product was at least twice the cost, and twice the profit, of the regular sized bag.

Better yet, provide a healthy snack with no added sugar, salt, or other things the kids (and adults) don’t need: a banana, an apple, a peach, or a 1.5 ounce box or raisins (90 calories).