Nabisco’s 100 Calorie Packs meet with mostly approval

That jumbo box of snack crackers you bought seemed like a boon for your bank account, but it could wreak havoc on your waistline.

Recent research has shown that on average people eat up to 50 percent more candy, chips and popcorn when it is presented to them in bigger packages. So if you’re trying to be careful with what you’re putting in your mouth, Nabisco has a new product that may help — 100 Calorie Packs.

The snack maker has trimmed down favorite crackers and cookies and popped them into little packets that contain just 100-calories worth of indulgence. Each package contains between two and three grams of fat. “You don’t have to count or measure anything,” Nabisco says on the box.

You’ll recognize the Cheese Nips, Wheat Thins and Fruit Snacks. The Oreo and Chips Ahoy are actually “thin crisps” and not the cookies we’ve come to love.

Food panel members liked the lighter version of the Cheese Nips and Chips Ahoy, but said the Oreo-inspired chocolate crackers fell short. The Cheese Nips and Chips Ahoy earned four stars for taste.

“Crunchy and fun,” said panel member Andy Hoye of the Chips Ahoy crackers. “A new incarnation of the venerable chocolate chip (cookie) — worth a try.”

The Oreo thin crisps were given three stars.

“Not much bang for your buck here,” said Skip Hubbard. “These chocolate treats look promising, but fall short of the bar.”

The packages also include healthy living tips to help keep you inspired. For example: “Combine exercise with your top priorities. Catch the morning news while on the treadmill or go for a walk with a friend.” There are more tips on Nabisco’s Web site at www.NabiscoWorld.com/ 100caloriepacks.

Of course, you could always open another package. But at least that might give you pause before you’re popping the last cookie in your mouth.

Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs, Cheese Nips

Price: $2.69 for 6 packs

Nutrition per serving: 100 calories, 3 grams fat (1 gram saturated, 27 percent fat calories), 2 grams protein, 15 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, less than 1 gram dietary fiber, 250 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • • • •

Value: • • •

Comments: “Classic cheesy flavor, without the familiar square shape of a Cheese Nip. A strong breeze could clear your plate of these little gems.” — Skip Hubbard

“Standard memorable taste, but lower calorie count. I’d buy them, you bet.” — Andy Hoye

“Competitor to cheese.” — Marilyn Moore

Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs, Chips Ahoy thin crisps

Price: $2.69 for 6 packs

Nutrition per serving: 100 calories, 3 grams fat (1 gram saturated, 27 percent fat calories), 1 gram protein, 18 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, less than 1 gram dietary fiber, 140 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • • • •

Value: • • •

Comments: “Yum. Yum. Throw them my way. Mini chocolate chip (cookies) by the handful. No… By the box full.” — Marilyn Moore

“Yummy little chocolate chip cookies. So light and airy you could eat a thousand of them. — Skip Hubbard

Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs, Oreo thin crisps

Price: $2.69 for 6 packs

Nutrition per serving: 100 calories, 2 grams fat (no saturated fat, 18 percent fat calories), 1 gram protein, 20 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, less than 1 gram dietary fiber, 170 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • • •

Value: • • •

Comments: “Looks rich, tastes bland” — Andy Hoye

“Chocolate wafer so thin you need two to make a crunch. Not sure what is sprinkled on top, ‘snow sugar’?” — Marilyn Moore

“Not much bang for your buck here. These chocolate treats look promising, but fall short of the bar.” — Skip Hubbard