To read most weight loss studies, it sure seems that "nothing" works, and I think I know why.

It's as if they were trying to find a "cure" for a generic symptom like a headache, or a sore throat - and the reason they can't find a cure, is because the symptoms might be the same, but the diseases that cause them are all different.

There still aren't alot of diet studies that study the differences between people trying to lose weight, instead they lump everyone together. The person wanting to lose five pounds, 50, or 200 (no matter how long they've been trying), the person who has been morbidly obese since childhood, the person who gained weight in midlife or after retirement...

And not are we all overweight to a different degree, and a different length of time, we all have different eating choices, eating triggers, trigger foods, exercise patterns.

It's no wonder that "nothing" works, because the population is too different to compare one person to another, and the number of people for whom "it" whatever it is being studied, does work - they get lost in the shuffle. It's too small a group to be noticed among all the people "it" didn't work for.

Since the field, for the most part, isn't trying to study the differences between different "kinds" of people attempting to lose weight, we're stuck doing our own experiments on ourselves. It's not good "science," but it's really the only option right now.

Snack packs mess with my head. The whole 'just one more. its only 100 cals' is what gets me.

I would rather buy the box, divide it up and make my own snack packs. If I can grab and go I don't tend to munch and entire box does not fit in my car to well or my purse for that matter LOL

I do make up snack packs of good foods, baggie of grapes, celery, baby carrots etc so when I want to munch there is not thinking involved just grab a baggie

mandalinn82
I'm with you on this one! I do buy 100 cal packs and look at them the same way, as a treat. I also keep the Mini Delights at home for a treat. I also have never opened more then one. Not that I don't want more or couldn't eat more, I could! But I see them as a treat and know that I am only allowed one as a treat. I think anymore then that is along the lines of binging for me. If I have the extra cals left for a day & I want something sweet, I will have either a 100 cal pack or a mini delight. They fill my craving for something sweet and are not too bad as far as treats go.

The problem for me with the snack packs is that they're usually processed / junk type foods. Those kind of things make me want MORE, even when I don't particularly like them. That is just nuts. OTOH, with something very high quality, even high in fat and/or sugar, I find it much easier and more satisfying after a smaller portion. It really weirds me out the way junk makes me want more even when it's not that tasty.

That's my thought on them as well. I'd so much rather *spend* my 100 calories on something with a little more nutritional oomph (and that's not going to leave me fighting with myself over whether I'm still hungry or not). I'm much happier and more satisfied with a cup of diced, fresh pineapple than with a couple of cookies.

They are overpriced, but I need the portion control. If I have a whole box of cheez-its in the house, I'll eat the whole thing, but I can keep myself to just one 100 calorie pack.

Personally, I don't over-indulge when I have my 100 calorie packs. If there's a bag of chips I'll definitely eat more then if I have the amount I am allowed to eat counted out for me. I don't know why. I'd sometimes eat two bags a day but it definitely was not one after the other. It'd be one in the afternoon and then one in the evening. I bought a bag of oreos recently and found myself eating 5 of them which is 250 calories as opposed to the serving size of 3 which is 150 calories. Yikes!

For some reason I'll keep eating if a bag is already open. But if I know I have to go and open a new bag I'll just feel really guilty. And that's why I love the 100 calorie packs.

Though, I'll admit, since they are pricey I've been making my own recently with dry special k cereal, popcorn, etc.

The other day I had a generous bowl of applesauce (chunky / unsweetened) with a bunch of cinnamon. Could not believe how good it was. :)

I can't bring myself to buying 100 cal packs just because it'd be like opening a can of worms. I don't know if I would have the control to stop at one, therefore I will not tempt myself. And considering i allow myself one treat a day to be had after dinner, there are normally other things that are far more tempting. Like a couple biscuits with my tea, or a 1/2 cup of ff ice cream, or 4 oz of red wine.

The concept of snack packs is great though. Pre-portioning everything I eat is my ultimate success tactic. It's the quickest and easiest way to stay healthy when you're planning your day.

I like doing this too - I buy in bulk and then repackage into serving sizes. That way when I want a few crackers or a snack I cansinply grab a baggies out of the cupboard and know it is a "proper" serving.

I bought two boxes of snack packs a while ago - because they were on sale!! What a silly reason. I regretted. When I ate the first snack pack, I had to have another one - even though I did not particularly liked it. I just had to continue eating.
The second box is still sitting in my car, with half of the snack packs still there. It is not anything I will again. It really makes me want to continue eating, and I would although I am not a calorie counter I would much rather each something healthier - e.g. hummus with veggies. The snack packs just provide carbs and I would rather get healthy carbs from fruit, milk, whole grains, etc.

The concept of the snack pack really appeals to me - especially with young children. The thing that I do not like about them is that the food is hyper-processed, unhealthy food. The other day I found a snack pack of hummus and fresh veggies....now that is what I call a snack pack! A snack that will actually tide one over for more than 10 minutes. The 100 calorie packs are still 100 empty calories and I would much prefer to ingest 100 calories of something that is actually going to do something for my body.

That being said, I do have a few packages of Late July peanut butter cracker sandwiches in my glove compartment for when an appointment takes longer than it was supposed to or when DS get that famished look in his eye. I don't think they are 100 calorie packs, but they are really convenient.

I saw two boiled eggs packaged up together at the supermarket. Talk about paying for convenience.

I'm with Kim - yeah they're overpriced. but I buy them because they give me portion control and that extra check when I want to mindlessly eat. One 100 cal pack causes significantly less damage than one box of cookies. I think I will always be the sort of person that can eat a box of cookies in one sitting - I cant eat just one oreo and not go back to the box but with the packs I get the mental click of emptying the package. I have to guard my habits daily. These packs are a treat when I want to eat something worse - which is often.

I go through a box or two of these things every two weeks - and it's worth it. It works for me so I'll keep doing it.