FitSugar

Girl Scout Cookie Quiz

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 05:30:00 -0800

A while back we learned that the Girl Scouts were downsizing their boxes and in some cases decreasing the girth of a few cookies due to the rising cost of flour.

Even though some boxes contain fewer cookies, and some cookies lost some heft in the redesign, it is still a good idea to know the caloric content and serving size of your favorite cookie. Take this little quiz and see if you know what you're dealing with when you bite into another Thin Mint.

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Question 1 of 6

How many cookies are considered a serving of Samoas (aka Carmel deLites)?

Girl Scout Cookie Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:00:00 -0700

It's that time of the year again. They're posted on nearly every street corner, and with more stands than there are Starbucks these sweet temptations are unavoidable. Yes, I'm talking about Girl Scout Cookie season.

I am not going to tell you to avoid them, since I've got a box of Thin Mints chilling in my freezer as we speak, but just be aware of the choices you make with this breakdown and practice moderation and self control. In case you didn't know, there are two bakers that make the cookies, ABC and Little Brownie, so I've added all variations from both bakers.

To see the full breakdown then read more.

Cookie	Serving Size	Fat (g)	Saturated Fat (g)	Calories	Sugar (g)	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)
All Abouts	3 cookies	7	4	150	9	21	less than 1
Caramel deLites	2 cookies	7	6	140	13	19	1
Cinna-Spins	15 cookies	2	1	100	8	19	less than 1
Do-Si-Dos	2 cookies	5	1.5	110	8	15	less than 1
Lemon Chalet Cremes	2 cookies	6	2	160	12	24	0
Lemonades	2 cookies	7	4	150	9	22	0
Peanut Butter Patties	2 cookies	8	5	150	10	17	less than 1
Peanut Butter Sandwich	3 cookies	6	2.5	160	8	26	less than 1
Samoas (Little Brownie Bakers)	2 cookies	8	5	150	11	19	less than 1
Shortbread	4 cookies	4.5	2	120	4	19	less than 1
Sugar Free Chocolate Chips	3 cookies	9	3	160	0	22	2
Tagalongs (Little Brownie Bakers)	2 cookies	10	4	150	8	14	1
Thanks-A-Lot	2 cookies	6	3.5	150	9	22	less than 1
Thin Mints (ABC Bakers)	4 cookies	8	6	160	11	22	less than 1
Thin Mints (Little Brownie Bakers)	4 cookies	7	4.5	150	10	20	1
Trefoils	5 cookies	7	2	150	6	20	less than 1

Girl Scouts Join 100-Calorie Pack Frenzy

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:30:00 -0800

Last year we saw Girl Scout Cookies go trans-fat free and this year they're taking a step even further to sell to us calorie-conscious folks. Meet Cinna-Spins 100-Calorie Packs. Yes that is right, like many major brands, the Girl Scouts of America are trying to lure us to buy more cookies (as if we needed convincing). Not all Scouts will be selling them though, so the next time they come knocking at your door be sure to ask if they're available. One box contains five 100-calorie packs of 15 small crispy cinnamon cookies.

I have yet to see any Girl Scouts around town, but when I do I'll try them out. If any of you have already purchased Cinna-Spins from the Girl Scouts, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

To see the nutritional information on the Cinna-Spins 100-Calorie Packs just read more

Fit's Tip: Freeze the cookies so you eat them slower. I am a Thin Mints girl, and I'll buy a few boxes to support the girls as well as to treat myself. Then I freeze them so I don't gobble up the whole box in one sitting.

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My Top 10 Favorite Food Breakdowns

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:00:00 -0800

If you're trying to lose weight or maintain your current weight, watching your calorie intake is a must. It's tough, though, to know how many calories are in our favorite foods, and which ones are healthier choices. So check out my favorite food breakdowns of 2008 to help you make informed decisions when it comes to food.

To see the other five breakdowns read more.

Food Review: World of Grains Blueberry and Cranberry Snacks

FitSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:00:00 -0700

When I first came across this World of Grains product, I wasn't quite sure what it was. The package merely described them as "snacks." But were they crackers? Cookies? Fruit? Turns out, these snacks are really a combination of all three.

As you know, I value my snacks, and these healthy, whole-grain treats are a great way to ward off snack attacks. They look like cookies but they don't taste as sweet - more like a graham cracker than a mouthful of sugar. I tried the cranberry and blueberry biscuits, which are made from a blend of eight whole grains -including oat bran, amaranth flour, and quinoa - mixed with bits of real fruit. To hear what I thought of them, read more.

I like that these cookies satisfy my sweet tooth but don't taste overly sugary. The blueberry flavor is sweeter, sort of like a blueberry muffin, while the cranberry is more tart, and both have a crunchy, chewy texture that's fun to munch. Better yet, unlike some other low-cal sweets, they actually fill me up when eaten as an afternoon snack. I'm guessing that's because of the 12 grams of whole grains per serving, but these are definitely heartier than, say, a 100-calorie pack of Girl Scout cookies.

Each box comes with four individual cookie packet, each with fewer than 150 calories and 4 grams of fat. They are also available in oatmeal raisin, apple cinnamon, and multigrain flavors. You can buy them at Whole Foods, and you can find a store near you on the World of Grains website.

Health Confessional: Share It and Move On

FitSugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:15:00 -0700

OK, so I recently confessed to downing a whole sleeve of Girl Scout cookies to you guys and I felt great afterwards, especially after reading everyone else's confessions. I've got a new one to make . . .

The other day my husband made a date to run together after work. When we got home from a long day, I told my husband that I had a headache coming on and that I probably shouldn't run, so he went without me. Well, I didn't really have a headache. Granted I did feel a tiny little something in my head, but I am not sure it could've qualified as a headache as much as how my head usually feels after work. And let's be honest, it was nothing that would have prevented me from having a nice jog with my hubby. I will say that I felt guilty the entire time and the guilt I felt while he was running and I was lying on the couch, was hardly worth it.

So there, I've confessed - hey, it happens right? Now it's your turn. Do you have anything you want to confess and get off your chest? It helps knowing that we all make mistakes and that life does indeed go on.

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Don't Stress Over Weight Fluctuations

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 03:00:00 -0700

If you're someone who weighs yourself daily, then you know that our weight is hardly static. If you weighed 130 before you went to bed and then 134 in the morning (after you pee) this does not mean you gained four pounds overnight. Well, unless you consumed 14,000 calories while you were sleeping. So don't sweat it and take a look at the common reasons for day-to-day weight fluctuations:

Drinking water: Two cups of water weighs one pound, so if you've been busy hydrating yourself then you'll definitely see an immediate and temporary gain in your weight.
Not drinking water: Not drinking enough water actually causes the body to retain fluid, which can also lead to a temporary weight gain.
Eating and drinking: Food and drinks have a weight too, you know. Just as you wouldn't stand on the scale holding a box of Girl Scout Cookies, nor should you weigh yourself after eating one. Wait until your body has had time to digest before stepping on the scale.

There's more so read more.

Salt: Taking in too much sodium is a sure way to cause the body to retain water, which can cause a temporary weight gain.
Exercise: Exercise can result in an immediate weight loss from sweating and dehydration. This is why many people like to weigh themselves after working out. Remember that if you don't rehydrate your body will start to retain water.
That time of the month: Most women know that weight gain that can occur before menstruation due to water retention - it too is temporary and will pass.

I like to weigh myself at the same time each day to avoid hitting all these fluctuations at once, at least then I have a benchmarking point.

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Trans Fat Round-Up

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 17:15:00 -0800

With all the buzz surrounding who is going trans fat free and when and why, I've decided to do a trans fat round-up.

So here is who is jumping on the healthy train this week:

Crisco, king of trans fat, is now trans fat free.
Philly, home of the cheese steak, is considering making the entire city free of trans fat.
Thin Mints, Samoas and Peanut Butter Patties, oh my! - Yup, Girl Scout Cookies are now trans fat free!
Crystal Cruise Lines claim to be the first to be trans fat free at sea.
After years of testing, McDonald's has finally selected a new trans-fat-free oil for cooking its famous french fries