As you are shopping through the grocery store, you may get an overwhelming feeling of bliss when you spot foods with labels that say “only 100 calories” or “low in calories.”

These labels may look great on the outside, but it’s what’s on the inside that makes these low calorie foods a big scam. Here’s why…

A Trick instead of a Treat

If you come across snack packs that only contain 100 calories, it’s best that you remove your blinders and see these treats for what they really are: a giant trick!

These sinfully delicious snack packs usually contain a ton of sugar and other processed ingredients. They may taste good, but they won’t satisfy your appetite for very long.

Most of these snack packs lack essential nutrition like protein and healthy fats, which help keep you feeling satisfied longer. Without these nutrients, and with minimal calories, you are likely to be hungry every hour, which will likely keep you snacking all day long. As we all know, these excess snacking can lead to big trouble.

Better Alternatives

You can still eat low calorie foods as snacks just make sure they contain the right nutrition. There are options that are just as tasty, that won’t sacrifice your progress.

A snack high in protein is always a good option. Many of these options can be found in your grocery store. If you aren’t snacking on one of BistroMD’s many delicious protein bars, Kashi makes great snacks for in-between meals; most of which are high in protein, and also contain other nutrients like carbs and healthy fats.

If cereal bars aren’t really your thing, low-fat string cheese is a good option, as well as low-fat yogurt.

If you tend to give into over-snacking, you may want to consider portioning out your snacks ahead of time. This way, you aren’t tempted to eat more than what you need.

So, the next time you think that low-calorie foods are your best option for a healthy snack, just remember: always read the label before you put it in your cart.

Holly Kistler, Registered Dietitian