What's New in the Grocery Store?

By Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N.  

100-CALORIE PORTIONED PACKETS FROM NABISCO

If you are trying to lose weight in 2005, buying foods that are pre-portioned may be just what the doctor ordered. Remember the saying, 'Bet you can't just eat one?' Well, if you are part of that club, using pre-portioned, pre-packaged foods might be the answer for you. While these foods may cost more, the extra cost may actually save you money in the long run.

The Nabisco Company has developed the 100-calorie packets that are easy to pack in a lunch or keep in your desk at work. These baked food items include Oreo® Thin Crisps, Chips Ahoy® Thin Crisps, Kraft® Cheese Nips, Wheat Thins® minis, Fruit Snacks® Mixed Berry, Honey Maid ® Cinnamon Thin Crisps and Ritz® Snack Mix (www.NabiscoWorld.com/100packs).

100-Calorie Portioned Packets from Nabisco

* CHO = Carbohydrate; PRO = Protein.

SUGARCOATED CEREALS GET MAKEOVER

Many companies have lower the sugar content in their pre-sweetened cereals. Tony the Tiger thinks it's great that Kellogg's Frosted Flakes have gone low carb with 1/3 less sugar than the original. In fact, a number of the cereal companies have added lower-sugar products to help increase sagging sales.

The good thing is that all these products taste very good; in fact, the extra sugar is not even missed. At the American Dietetic Association meeting in Los Angeles in October 2004, these products were taste tested by dietitians from all over the world. Most agreed - taste-wise, the decrease in sugar was not even noticed.

Lower-Carbohydrate Cereals

Kellogg's 1/3-Less-Sugar Cereals, 1 cup serving (www.kelloggs.com)

General Mills 75%-Less-Sugar Cereals (www.generalmills.com)

Quaker Oats Lower-Sugar Oatmeal, 1 pack (www.quakeroatmeal.com)

Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N., is the publisher and nutrition editor of KHF and a runner, cyclist and hiker.