Like every other one of my posts, this is purely my opinion and I’m not saying it’s right or trying to impose my views on you.
I knew graduating with a degree in Business Management would come to use some day! The power of marketing has finally dawned upon me. I can shamefully say that once upon a time, I was every food marketers’ dream. Ever seen those 100-calorie snack packs? Or wonder why you’re still hungry after eating 4 slices of low-calorie bread? Or why a ‘low fat’ bar of chocolate, which is ½ the size of a standard Dairy Milk yet costs the same, if not more?
To put it as nicely as possible, it’s because we’re suckers. We’ll buy the product regardless of size or price. We’ll happily lead manufacturers to our bank accounts if it means we get something in return which is reasonable in calories. Unfortunately we tend to forget/not realise that low calorie doesn’t translate into healthy. Compare the ingredients of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips (Potatoes, Corn and/or Cottonseed Oil And Salt) with those of Lay’s Light Original Fat Free Potato Chips (Potatoes, Olestra, Salt, Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Tocopherols, Vitamin K, And Vitamin D). Yes, you can have a larger portion of the fat-free variety for the same number of calories but will it satisfy you? Fill you up? Nutritionally benefit you? Chances are no, no, and no! And what’s worse is that you’ll probably have the urge to reach for a few more handfuls and ultimately consume more calories than had you opted for a smaller portion of the original kind.
Often the culprit of gaining weight is overeating and in my opinion, ‘diet’ food doesn’t address this problem. For me, sugar-free jelly was the culprit. I used to devour that stuff like it was going out of fashion, simply because the whole made-up packet was 10 calories or so. While that’s great theoretically, eating it only left me craving more sweet. Although the packet ‘serves 4,’ I would usually need to go back for seconds or thirds. Financially and nutritionally, these sachets are a rip-off: additives to create the pretty red colour and strawberry flavoring, artificial sweeteners to make it edible, and gelatine to plump it up.
I do think there are great low-calorie options available. I find the Special K and Alpen Light cereal bars yummy, but I’d rather get my chocolate fix from 1-2 squares of quality chocolate. Sometimes less really is more! My view is just that if you’re going to indulge, do so intelligently. Rather than eat 3 slices of fat-free cake, opt for a few bites of the real deal and savour every morsel. Chances are those few morsels will actually leave you feeling satisfied. Think about it: French women regularly consume croissants and yet maintain great figures- they just know when to stop.
And on a final note, it annoys me when healthy foods receive negative press for being expensive. Lean meats, fruits & vegetables aren’t expensive- it’s these processed, diet products that are a complete rip-off. At least with the former, you’re getting a bang for your buck. If I’m hungry, I rather snack on wholesome, real food which is free from chemicals and high corn fructose syrup as this is what will actually curb my hunger. For satisfying snack ideas which are 100 calories or less, click here.