Biggest Loser Hall of Shame

During an exciting episode 5 of the Biggest Loser Season 4, I couldn’t help but notice the product placements. Exhibit one is for Nabisco 100 calorie snacks that were peddled by trainer Bob. Sorry Bob, but these snacks are junk food and will cause weight gain, despite the smaller serving sizes. These new smaller portion sizes are a convenient way for food manufacturers to jump on the “weight loss” bandwagon and pay lip service to improving people’s health. But junk food in smaller portion sizes is still junk food.

Let’s take a closer look at the ingredient list for the new “100 calorie snack” size Chips Ahoy. Notice all the refined carbs. The first ingredient is enriched flour. The words wheat flour may make you think it’s healthy. Think again. Enriched flour is stripped of the fiber-containing bran (which also contains most of a grain’s antioxidants). Look for the word “whole” before the grain if you want a product high in whole grains and fiber. More refined carbs come in the form of “empty calorie” sugar.

Here are the ingredients for Chips Ahoy:
ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE {VITAMIN B1}, RIBOFLAVIN, {VITAMIN B2}, FOLIC ACID), SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS (SUGAR, CHOCOLATE, DEXTROSE, COCOA BUTTER, SOY LECITHIN - AN EMULSIFIER, VANILLIN - AN ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR), SUGAR, HIGH OLEIC CANOLA OIL AND/OR CANOLA OIL AND/OR SOYBEAN OIL, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CORNSTARCH, LEAVENING (BAKING SODA AND/OR CALCIUM PHOSPHATE), MILK (ENZYME MODIFIED), SALT, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR.

The problem with highly refined, highly processed food is that they are very calorie dense. Since we eat about the same weight of food a day, by the time you satisfy your hunger with high-calorie dense foods you’ll be packing a lot of calories. These foods will not fill you up or curb your hunger. Quite the opposite. The refined carbs will create cravings, by causing your blood sugar levels to skyrocket and then crash, while the high calorie density will leave you wanting to eat more. The food manufacturers know that you won’t stop at 100 calories. Don’t be fooled. Clever marketing and nothing more. Skip all the “100 calorie packs” and eat an apple instead.

Are you listening trainer Bob?

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