Dietitians Recommend Consumers: Be Wise When Choosing 100-Calorie Snacks

Nine in 10 nutritionists say most prepackaged 100-calorie products are "empty calories". Low-fat popcorn like Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! named one of the best snack options.

13/11/06 When it comes to 100-calorie snacks, not all are created equal. Although they offer convenience and portion control, most prepackaged 100-calorie snack packs of popular cookies, crackers and chips contain "empty calories," according to nearly 90 percent of the dietitians responding to a new survey being released. Three-in-four dietitians believe the products aren't filling or satisfying and almost half said they likely wouldn't recommend these products.

The survey, conducted on behalf of Orville Redenbacher's, comes as the healthy snack segment continues to register strong growth. In recent years, however, consumers - worried about larger food portions and obesity -have sought to downsize their snacks without eliminating them completely. According to IRI Data, sales of packaged snacks foods in the United States topped $32 billion in 2006, up 3 percent since 2002. Health-oriented items have been experiencing the steepest growth in the category. Given the new portion-controlled, healthier snack trend, food manufacturers are launching 100-calorie packages of popular cookies, crackers and chip products in hopes of answering consumer needs.

When dietitians recommend snack options to their clients, they seek products that are real food, satisfying and that have nutritional value. "A better way to spend 100 calories is by choosing a satisfying, whole grain snacking option like Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! 100-calorie mini-bags," said Patty Packard, registered dietitian at ConAgra Foods. "You get six cups of hot, fresh popcorn that provides a good source of fiber, instead of 100 empty calories of less nutritious, less satisfying fare."

When asked specifically about Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop!, 58 percent of dietitians said they would recommend the product as a healthy snack to their clients over other 100-calorie snacks. The product's taste and ability to satisfy are the most popular reasons for recommending it (88 percent and 87 percent, respectively). Another reason for suggesting SmartPop! to clients is its perceived satiety (84 percent), or perceived ability to give consumers a feeling of "fullness" longer than other snack options.

Health Benefits of Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop!

* Feel satisfied on fewer calories. Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! 100-calorie mini-bags offer six cups of hot and fresh popcorn, which helps consumers feel satisfied on fewer calories (compare this to less than one-fourth of a cup of thin crisps or other 100-calorie products). What's more, all Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! products are 94 percent fat free, with zero grams of trans fat per serving and zero milligrams of cholesterol.
* Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! is 100 percent whole grain popcorn. Popcorn is a great way for adults and children to get the whole grains they need on a daily basis. But while the government's MyPyramid program recommends that Americans eat three servings of whole grains daily, most Americans still aren't getting enough. A recent Whole Grain Awareness survey conducted on behalf of Orville Redenbacher's revealed that only 12 percent of Americans are even aware that popcorn is a whole grain. In fact, just three cups of popped popcorn equals one whole grain serving. A single serving of SmartPop! popcorn (six cups) actually equals two full servings of whole grain.
* Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! has many nutritional benefits. It contains more fiber per gram than many other whole grain foods such as oatmeal, whole wheat bread and brown rice. What's more, whole grains provide many of the essential vitamins and nutrients that now comprise only a small portion of the typical American diet, including fiber, B vitamins, vitamin E, and the minerals selenium, zinc, copper and magnesium.
* Variety of tasty choices. Whether they crave salty or sweet - Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! 100-calorie mini-bags have consumers covered. The Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! line offers both sweet and savory varieties that are guilt-free, including Kettle Korn mini-bags and Organic mini-bags launched last year.