Healthy Living

Thursday, September 4, 2008

The reason why healthy foods cost so much

100_calorie_pack.jpg
I can't throw a stick in my office without hitting one of those 100 calorie snack packs on someone's desk. They're a popular item in the office candy store but people also bring in their own. I don't get the allure, quite honestly, because it's either recreated approximations of the snacks you love (the "Oreos" inside the 100 calorie Oreo snack packs bear zero resemblance to an actual Oreo) or little versions of the same thing you can get in the regular size pack, only with a bunch of printing on the package. Sure, it's convenience and enforced portion control, but also, really not eco-friendly. How long does it take to package up the same thing in your kitchen, using reusable sandwich bags? Two minutes? One?

So, maybe you don't care about the environment but let's talk bottom line. The folks on Wall Street just looooooove the fact that you're too busy to portion out your 100 calories for yourself, because these 100 calorie packs are now making them $200 million per year!

Can you imagine what we could accomplish with that kind of cashola? What kind of improvements we could make in the world? Sure, maybe you don't care that it costs 200% more for the same amount of food, (Check out the worst offenders) what you do with your money is your business, right? Sure, as long as you're going to waste your cash with your eyes wide open, but let's not pretend that someone is twisting your arm to buy these silly diet convenience foods.

I wonder if it's not the actual healthy food that costs so much, but rather our perception of what is healthy and what is not. Take for example, that stupid Special K water that Kellogg's is trying to convince you is the very best and happiest way to take care of your body. It's something like $1-2 per bottle, depending on the deal you score. All that for a measly 5 grams of protein and some sugar? The manufacturers are trying like crazy to convince us to buy into their concept of the world, and until we say no and put our foot down, I suspect that we'll still be sending our green straight into the pockets of big business.

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Comments 1-10 of 26
  • khenderson's Avatar
    Posted by khenderson Fri Jun 6, 2008 6:07am PDT

    Hi Weetabix, Do not forget that this is America! Everything has to be quick, results need to be available immediately, nothing can wait, if you want it - buy it, there is a credit card! So why would America pack their own little 100 calorie bags? Sure not every American is as I described but since I live here, I have not met many who are not like this. I am from Europe and sometimes it is quite a shock what happens here! But to be honest, I love those Oreo Thin Crisp and if there is a 16 oz bag available, I buy it!

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  • Wingnut's Avatar
    Posted by Wingnut Fri Jun 6, 2008 12:37pm PDT

    If they made a bigger bag of the little rice cakes drizzled in chocolate, I'd buy those and bag my own, but haven't seen them so far. They're really good.

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  • casselberrian's Avatar
    Posted by casselberrian Fri Jun 6, 2008 1:09pm PDT

    What makes you think the plastic sandwich bags on Mobi's site are reusable more than anyother sandwich bag? Seems strange that you dis 100 calorie packs for waste, then recommend these over priced, never gonna biodegrade baggies. Me thinks I smell a marketing plant.

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  • Kate's Avatar
    Posted by Kate Fri Jun 6, 2008 2:50pm PDT

    Well...yes. Good for any company who has the smarts to market to people who want more ease in their lives and are willing to pay for it. As far as trying to tie in the eco-friendly attitude...you lost on that one..plastic baggies? America is about free enterprise, remember? So instead of dissing a company who obviously had an idea that worked, maybe come up with your own idea and market it. Maybe 100 calorie yummy snacks in eco-friendly bags!

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  • heather.benoit's Avatar
    Posted by heather.benoit Fri Jun 6, 2008 2:54pm PDT

    I like these little bags because they keep portions in check. Would I like to have 10 full size oreos? heck Yeah! Do I need 10 full size oreos? no, not really. It curbs the cravings.

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  • Kate's Avatar
    Posted by Kate Fri Jun 6, 2008 3:59pm PDT

    BTW...someone should put a warning on reusable "plastic" bags...I can only imagine the bacteria growth as well as the chemical leaching...hmmm.

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  • RON's Avatar
    Posted by RON Sat Jun 7, 2008 8:28am PDT

    Main problem with "100 snacks" is that they're all processed foods which are not healthy for you anyway. So, whether you eat 100 Calories or 1000 Calories, you're still eating the WRONG kind of food! I teach all my patients to eat "whole, real foods" close to their natural forms--whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, seeds--and optionally, lean animal proteins and low fat dairy. Really about all one needs to know to eat healthfully!

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  • Katiebird's Avatar
    Posted by Katiebird Sat Jun 7, 2008 12:15pm PDT

    I'm with you. Those 100 calorie packs are absurd - not healthy, wasteful packaging, and too expensive. I bring a few nuts and some fruit in a tupperware container for snacks.

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  • mary c's Avatar
    Posted by mary c Sat Jun 7, 2008 6:36pm PDT

    OK...I see your point but hey...I get the munchies. These 100 cal snacks have assisted me in my 20 pound loss (well on my way to 100 pounds gone)...so I use them. hmmmm note to Katiebird...I will try to do the nuts/fruit thing in the tupperware. Sounds like a good idea.

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  • Isky's Avatar
    Posted by Isky Sun Jun 8, 2008 12:36am PDT

    Forget about all that pre-packaged, heavily-messaged, processed, empty food and use your brain. If it's chocolate you need to quench the hungries, pop a few Ghiradelli bittersweet chocolate morsels (60% cacao butter!) in your mouth. Mmmmmmmm. And, skip the flavored water. That industry just wants the over-inflated profits from your gullibility!

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