Aerated, Puffed Snacks Promote Weight Loss by Increasing Volume

Even with the vast changes in food labeling, many children, teens and adults continue to consume snack foods that are high in salt and fat. Since the 1970's, when packaged snack foods become a significant craze, the obesity rates have continued to climb. While snack food is not the primary reason for obesity in the United States, it does play a unique role on the ability of many individuals to lose weight or even maintain a healthy weight.

If you are working on a healthy dietary program that is possibly not related to a specific weight loss program, it is important to understand how snacking may even impact your change in lifestyle eating habits. Because it is expected that you will always consume the same amount of food in weight, it is your choice of that food, rather than the restriction of it, that will have a powerful impact on your healthy lifestyle change.

In addition to food weight, there are some nutritionists who believe that food volume is a key factor in weight loss or healthy weight management. That is to say, if your food is volumized, usually by air, you are more likely to eat less of the food in weight simply because it looks to be the same as a heavier version. For example, when consuming yogurt, in products that are whipped or packaged with air, you are more likely to consume one container of whipped just as you would one container of non-whipped. Ultimately, however, you are consuming a lower weighted food product which, ultimately, may lead to weight loss.

The next time you are out purchasing food products, try this test at home. Purchase both types of Cheetos cheese snacks, puffed and non-puffed. Give your child an equal number of each type of Cheetos. In many cases, 24 of one type of Cheetos is far less, in terms of volume and weight, than the other type of Cheetos. As a result, your child may feel a sense of fullness eating fewer of the foods with higher aeration. Thus, purchasing foods with a greater aeration packaging process may serve as a healthier food choice. This is a similar process as that compared to popcorn versus pretzels.