Snack Pack's Not What They Seem

Be cautious of those small packages of snacks that are labeled “100 Calories”, if you are using them to diet. Two new studies out suggest that people actually consume more calories when junk food is packaged in smaller portions. Manufacturers are providing more snack foods in smaller portions, and it turn are, seeing their sales increase from dieters who think they are making a healthier choice. One study, which was conducted by Rita Coelho do Vale at the Technical University of Lisbon, suggests that people believe these smaller packages help them “regulate hedonic, tempting consumption”, but the study found that their intake could actually increase, triggering overeating.

The details of this study will be released in the October 2008 issue the Journal of Consumer Research. The results indicate that smaller packages are more likely to entice temptation because they are considered innocent pleasures, which may cause even more calorie consumption. It also showed that dieters consumed more of these foods than people who were not watching their diets at all.