PhotoChick, I completely agree with you! That was excellently put. I haven't calculated what percentage of my daily calories I have as "empty" calories, but thinking about it, I think mine is about 15% too. I have a very similar attitude to you - I won't eat unhealthy, unnutritious food in place of meals or when I've not had enough "proper" food, but I do factor in these things into my day. It tends to be a treat right at the end of the day, when I've popped everything I've eaten into FitDay and see I have some "spare" calories, or if I've planned out my meals for the day and see I've got space to enjoy a treat. I love potato chips too! I think they're my biggest snacky weakness... I love savoury, salty chips and I'm really pleased that I've now learned a little bit of restraint instead of wolfing down a whole bag (which I could still easily do!).

I got on the scales this morning and I've finally dropped a pound, so I'm not stuck on 177 anymore! Yay! I'm really looking forward to putting the advice in this thread into practice... and I'm looking forward to eating more protein!