Are 100-calorie packs worth the price?

Josh Landis, CBS News

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Mar 25, 2008 at 1:34 PM EST

Story Updated: Mar 25, 2008 at 1:34 PM EST

(CBS) — Paying higher prices for health food is not a new trend. But many people may be surprised just how much more they are paying for the convenience and portion control of the new, popular 100-calorie snack packages.

Sharon Bari tries to be health conscious when she packs lunch for her daughter. She includes a salad, an apple and as a treat — a 100-calorie snack package.

"If she needs to have a snack, that's not a specifically healthy snack, here at least I feel like there's a limit to the number of calories in it,” Bari said.

This mother of three is not alone. Sales of 100-calorie snacks jumped 38 percent last year — to nearly $250 million. It's the anti-supersize-me revolution.

These small snacks have become a big hit across the country, but it's an expensive way to eat less. Ounce for ounce, a box of 100-calorie packs costs more than twice as much as a regular box.

"You're paying two, sometimes three times as much per pound, or per cookie,” said Michael Jacobson of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

According to the CSPI, the biggest mark-ups came on 100-calorie packages of Cheese Nips (279% more), Keebler Chips Deluxe (250% more), and Chex Mix (248% more).

"You'd save a lot of money if you simply bought a regular-sized package and portioned out a few cookies and crackers,” Jacobson said.

But it's an expense many are willing to pay.

"I like the idea of portion control,” Bari said.

And for the Bari family, the convenience is worth the cost.

Nutritionists also warn not to think that the cookies in 100-calorie packs have fewer calories; there are just fewer cookies there.

They also recommend you have a combination of different snacks that have a healthy level of carbohydrates and protein to get you through to your next meal — things like whole grains, fruits, nuts.

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