Craisins
Mmmm… Craisins. My husband is addicted to these things. Even thought they’re sweetened, they’re a little on the tart side for me, these dried cranberries that are shriveled like raisins. He puts them on his oatmeal. They’re a popular snack at my kid’s preschool. And now they’re available in 100 calorie packs. Perfectly portioned, these 100 calorie packs of Craisins are great for a zingy treat on the go.
Progresso Chicken & Dumplings
You wouldn’t want to have just 100 calories for lunch (that wouldn’t be healthy), but you’d be off to a good start with Progress Traditional Chicken & Herb Dumplings soup. The can touts that it’s 100 calories per serving, as are several Progresso soup products. Each can contains about two servings. Heat up the soup and add a couple of sides (maybe fruit and half and sandwich) and you’ve refueled until dinner! I’ve had this soup many times and it’s delicious. You don’t add water. The chicken is tender and tasty, the carrots and celery are in generous chunks and the dumplings are, of course, the best part.
Mini Cakesters
When I first heard about Oreo Cakesters it was to hear several friends raving about how tasty they are. The raving was invariably followed by regret at the high calorie count. Nabisco must have been listening, because now Cakesters have been packaged in 100 Calorie Packs for those of us who lack self-control when it comes to portion control. There are three cakes in each pack. Cakesters consist of two fluffy outer layers with a cake-like texture but an Oreo taste (Cakesters also come in original Oreo flavor.) It becomes a sandwich cake thanks to Oreo cream filling in between. I split a pack of Golden Oreo Mini Cakesters with my kid and the tiny (.81 ounce total) cakes were gone too fast, but I’ll definitely be returning to the cookie aisle for these golden treats, and their chocolatey cousins.
Del Monte
Del Monte is promoting its new 100-calorie fruit cans (as well as the concept of eating more fruits and vegetable) with its newsletter The Dish. Even better, Del Monte is giving away a free can of 100 calorie fruit to the first 50,000 newsletter subscribers who respond. Del Monte Lite 100 calorie fruit includes fruit cocktail. Interestingly, a Del Monte brand is also the maker of Pup-Peroni 50-calorie dog treats.
Wholly Guacamole
I’ve tried and enjoyed Wholly Guacamole, so when I saw that they were making 100 calorie packs I knew they had to be good. It’s the same product, just carefully portioned. They’d be great to pack in a lunchbox or for a Super Bowl get-together where guests want to make sure they’re not overdoing it on portion size. Remember, avocados have the good kind of fat! The Wholly Guacamole 100 calorie packs include three packs. Pair with a 100 calorie pack of tortilla chips and you’re good to go!
Lay
The price was right on this line from Lay’s: only 35 cents. Plus, I didn’t have to buy a whole big package to try them out. These Cracker Crisps come in a .812-ounce package, which includes about 25 of the little rectangles, which are sprinkled in a fine orange powder not unlike that pouch that comes with Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. If only they tasted as good as mac-n-cheese. I was disappointed in these baked crackers. They were crisp, but the flavor wasn’t that great and they left a funky aftertaste. I’m hoping for better in the Cracker Crisps line, because these are handy to buy for a lunch when you’re in the supermarket. Interestingly, the fact that they are 100 calories wasn’t even touted on the package I bought.