100 Calorie Smack Down

by Kris Pitcher

Many nutritional issues are "value laden" meaning you need to make a decision based on your personal values about that issue. I've been a little worked up over this one, so I'm just going to share my opinion. I'll count to ten first while I take a few deep breaths...

You need to stop eating those 100 calorie snacks. Did that come out wrong? Let me try again. Eating pretend cookies is like smoking candy cigarettes! There that's better. But really, isn't it the same? You want to have your cake and eat it too, literally. It doesn't work that way. So, instead of trying to fool yourself by eating pretend cookies maybe you should give those up for real food.

Get your head in the game by eating a snack that will give you some actual nutrients. Here are a few ideas:

• 6 oz. plain yogurt (ok, 4 oz. low fat flavor no sugar)
• 1/2 oz. raw almonds
• 1 (level) T natural peanut butter
• 1 medium apple
• 1 oz. cheese, or 1 mozzarella cheese stick
• 3 oz. chicken breast

Pair any of those with a cup of veggies to crunch on and you've got a snack. If you're paying attention to your nutrition (aka. "diet") you don't get to eat cookies, or other pretend carby snacks. We simply don't need the head games. Put those candy cigarettes down, you can do better.