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Are 100-Calorie Snack Packs
good for kids?

Written by Gloria Tsang, RD
Published in August 2006

(HealthCastle.com) A few readers asked if the new 100-calorie snack packs from Nabisco are good for kids. They felt that these single-serving cracker snacks are easy to pack in the lunchbox, making them convenient snacks for school.

Obesity epidemic gives rise to 100-Calorie Snack Packs

Snacks packaged as 100-calorie snack packs are food manufacturers' way of responding to the obesity epidemic. Not only are cracker and cookie giants such as Oreo, Chips Ahoy and Ritz re-packaging their flagship products into smaller portions available in 100-Calorie portion packs. Other popular packaged snacks such as Pringles, Lays chips, Cheetos, Balance energy bars and even Coke are jumping on the 100-Calorie bandwagon.

Are the Nabisco's 100-Calorie Snack Packs good for kids?

Although food manufacturers are definitely doing better by shrinking portion sizes instead of super-sizing them, repackaging these snacks into 100-Calorie packs does not make them more nutritious or healthier. These crackers and cookies are the perfect examples of empty-calorie snacks. Empty-calorie foods are high in calories but low in nutritional values, lacking the health-promoting nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber.

In addition, despite the fact that these 100-calorie snack packs show 0 grams of trans fat on the Nutrition Facts panels, we found trans fat laden hydrogenated oil on their ingredient list. It is unfortunate that the FDA allows food manufacturers to list 0 grams of trans fat if the amounts of trans fat is less than 0.5 gram per serving.

Healthy snack options for your kids' school days

Make it a habit to carry fresh vegetables and fruit with you. Easy-to-carry options include apples, pears, bananas, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes and grapes.
Try processed fruit! Canned fruit cups in water and dried fruit are not as fresh, but they are still healthy and nutritious snacks.
Prepare a portion-controlled nutritious trail mix with nuts, whole grain cereal and plenty of dried fruits like raisins, apricots and prunes.
Pack a kiddie size yogurt. They provide a good source of protein and calcium. If possible, choose one with active live bacterial cultures (probiotics) to maximize its health benefits.