Girl Scout Cookies...

A note from Sean:

It’s getting to be that time of year again. That time everyone watching their weight dreads – Girl Scout Cookie time! Pre-orders are going on now, and soon those pig-tailed sirens will be in front of every store. Fear not! You don’t have to stockpile groceries to avoid the guilt-inducing look of disappointment on the girls’ faces (after all, it’s for a good cause). As with everything, enjoy, but in moderation! Here are a few tips:

Know which ones are your best bet.

·         Counting calories? Savannah Smiles have the fewest calories per cookie.

·         Doing Weight Watchers? Shortbread have the lowest per-cookie points plus value.

·         Watching carbs? Thin Mints have the fewest carbs per cookie.

·         Tracking fat? Savannah Smiles have the lowest fat per cookie.

	Serving*	Calories*	Fat*	Carbs*	Fiber*	Protein*	Points Plus**
Thin Mints	4	160	7	22	1	2	4
Samoas	2	150	8	18	1	1	4
Tagalongs	2	140	9	13	1	2	4
Shortbread	4	120	4.5	19	1	1	3
Do-si-dos	3	160	7	22	1	3	4
Lemonades	2	150	7	22	1	1	4
Savannah Smiles	5	140	5	23	0	1	4
Thanks-a-lots	2	150	6	22	0	1	4
Dulce de leche	4	160	8	20	0	1	4
Mango Cremes	3	180	8	25	1	1	5
Thank You Berry Much	2	120	5	17	0	1	3

*as reported on girlscouts.org

** calculated on weightwatchers.com

Know your weakness! Choosing the best option is great, but sticking to a serving is the next battle. If you don’t think you can stop yourself from eating the whole box in one sitting (I admit, I’ve done it) then don’t let yourself get into that situation.

·         Divvy the cookies up into individual servings in snack-sized Ziploc bags.

·         Write the calories or points in large print on the box with a sharpie as a reminder.

·         Freeze them – you’ll eat them slower, and they’re really good that way.

·         Don’t sit down with the whole box.

·         Enjoy them with a healthier sweet that can make the dessert more fulfilling. Have them with fresh fruit or add them to sugar-free pudding, for example.

And remember, this isn’t about avoiding your favorites all-together. This is about finding a way to LIVE a healthy lifestyle. If you eat more than you expected, then just track it and move on.