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Downsized Candy Bars: Is Less Really More?
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Olivia_WebMD_Staff posted:
Mars recently announced that they will downsize all their candy bars so that no bar has more than 250 calories by the end of 2013.

Our nutrition/diet expert was skeptical . How about you?

Is this a good way to offer us a treat while helping us consume fewer calories or just a clever way to make us pay the same or more for less?
10 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Downsized Candy Bars: Is Less Really More?Mars recently announced that they will downsize all their candy bars so that no bar has more than 250 calories by the end of 2013. <br /> <br /><a href="http://blogs.webmd.com/food-and-nutrition/2012/02/downsized-candy-calories-or-double-speak.html">Our nutrition/diet expert was skeptical</a> . How about you? <br /> <br />Is this a good way to offer us a treat while helping us consume fewer calories or just a clever way to make us pay the same or more for less?
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Jis4Judy responded:
Hi I am sure that any corporation is makeing changes to increase their cash flow less product for the same money is a joke calling it concern for our welfare . other corporations in the food industry are doing the same thing I used to get a bag of spinach weight 16 ounces 2 years ago it went to 10 ounces and now we have 8 ounce bags all at the original price if not more ..many products are doing this tuna for example used to be 8 ounce cans went down to 6 ounce cans and now I think they are 5 ounce cans all at the original price or more
the spinach is getting less healthy food for more makes me mad.
for corporations it is never concern for us it is concern for the bottom line ..
Hugs Judy:)
Report This| Share this:Downsized Candy Bars: Is Less Really More?Hi I am sure that any corporation is makeing changes to increase their cash flow less product for the same money is a joke calling it concern for our welfare . other corporations in the food industry are doing the same thing I used to get a bag of spinach weight 16 ounces 2 years ago it went to 10 ounces and now we have 8 ounce bags all at the original price if not more ..many products are doing this tuna for example used to be 8 ounce cans went down to 6 ounce cans and now I think they are 5 ounce cans all at the original price or more <br /> the spinach is getting less healthy food for more makes me mad.<br /> for corporations it is never concern for us it is concern for the bottom line ..<br />Hugs Judy:)
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butterflygarden replied to Jis4Judy's response:
Judy,

I completely agree with you. It's a sham. Candy bars aside, I also have noticed that companies have been downsizing their products, particularly during this poor economy. So, it LOOKS like they are lowering their prices, but actually they are giving us less for our money.

I think I read something recently about soda manufacturers doing the same thing.

I am going to admit it right here...if I want a candy bar or something bad for me it's not going to help me to have a smaller candy bar. I am just going to eat another one if I still have that chocolate craving. It's really more about willpower and the individual than these companies 'saving' us from ourselves.

But, that's just my opinion. There may be others out there that will benefit from a smaller serving size being offered up.

Butterfly
Report This| Share this:Downsized Candy Bars: Is Less Really More?Judy, <br /><br />I completely agree with you. It's a sham. Candy bars aside, I also have noticed that companies have been downsizing their products, particularly during this poor economy. So, it LOOKS like they are lowering their prices, but actually they are giving us less for our money. <br /><br />I think I read something recently about soda manufacturers doing the same thing. <br /><br />I am going to admit it right here...if I want a candy bar or something bad for me it's not going to help me to have a smaller candy bar. I am just going to eat another one if I still have that chocolate craving. It's really more about willpower and the individual than these companies 'saving' us from ourselves. <br /><br />But, that's just my opinion. There may be others out there that will benefit from a smaller serving size being offered up. <br /><br />Butterfly
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Melawen responded:
I believe that it is just a marketing tactic. I admit that I enjoy a candy bar maybe once a month and then it's usually with my husband. We split one.

They certainly are not going to lower the price on the candy bar. They will charge the same price or higher for less product. People do not like to feel that they are getting ripped off. I know that when I shopping I compare products to see which "brand" of the item is giving me a better deal monetarily, but I also have to consider the additives such as sodium or sugar. Reducing a candy bar down to 250 calories is not going to amount to much honestly. One of my husband's favorite bars is typically around 280 calories for a regular full size bar, when thinking about that 30 calories shaved off is nice, but it really does not amount to much when you consider that you are still consuming copious amounts of sugar and preservatives.
Report This| Share this:Downsized Candy Bars: Is Less Really More?I believe that it is just a marketing tactic. I admit that I enjoy a candy bar maybe once a month and then it's usually with my husband. We split one. <br /><br />They certainly are not going to lower the price on the candy bar. They will charge the same price or higher for less product. People do not like to feel that they are getting ripped off. I know that when I shopping I compare products to see which "brand" of the item is giving me a better deal monetarily, but I also have to consider the additives such as sodium or sugar. Reducing a candy bar down to 250 calories is not going to amount to much honestly. One of my husband's favorite bars is typically around 280 calories for a regular full size bar, when thinking about that 30 calories shaved off is nice, but it really does not amount to much when you consider that you are still consuming copious amounts of sugar and preservatives.
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bobby75703 responded:
Downsizing of product is an industry standard. Instead of raising the price, they give you just a little less product. It happens pretty much across the board. No need to single out mars candy bars. Everyone does this.
Report This| Share this:Downsized Candy Bars: Is Less Really More?Downsizing of product is an industry standard. Instead of raising the price, they give you just a little less product. It happens pretty much across the board. No need to single out mars candy bars. Everyone does this.
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Rachael67 replied to bobby75703's response:
It isn't the downsizing that I find as troubling as I do the silly bits of paper that Cracker Jack continues to call "prizes"!! They used to include objects which were worthy of the title "prize"...Not so with these!!

Rachael
Report This| Share this:Downsized Candy Bars: Is Less Really More?It isn't the downsizing that I find as troubling as I do the silly bits of paper that Cracker Jack continues to call <i>"prizes"!! </i>They used to include objects which were worthy of the title "prize"...Not so with these!! <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/frown.gif" align="top" border="0"> <br /> <br />Rachael
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Iocasta replied to Rachael67's response:
I know. I hadn't had a box for years and years. I picked up one for my 5 year old son thinking it would be a fun treat. The prize was a joke and I don't mean a tiny joke book like I remember getting in a box when I was little. Now I'm sure that my memory of the prizes as a 5 year old has them being much nicer than they were. But I remember cool things like decoder rings. Sorry off topic.

On topic, it is totally a marketing ploy.
Report This| Share this:Downsized Candy Bars: Is Less Really More?I know. I hadn't had a box for years and years. I picked up one for my 5 year old son thinking it would be a fun treat. The prize was a joke and I don't mean a tiny joke book like I remember getting in a box when I was little. Now I'm sure that my memory of the prizes as a 5 year old has them being much nicer than they were. But I remember cool things like decoder rings. Sorry off topic.<br /> <br />On topic, it is totally a marketing ploy.
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lilstrawberrie responded:
its like the 100 calorie bars you always want to grab for another one because they are so small lol
Report This| Share this:Downsized Candy Bars: Is Less Really More?its like the 100 calorie bars you always want to grab for another one because they are so small lol
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davedsel57 responded:
What I think is more shocking than this is the up-sized candy bars now on the market. There is a package of 2 huge Reese's peanut butter cups with each cup weighing a pound, and a "shareable" huge Snicker's bar.

In light of the obesity and Type 2 Diabetes epidemics in this country, I'm not sure this was a good idea.
Report This| Share this:Downsized Candy Bars: Is Less Really More?What I think is more shocking than this is the up-sized candy bars now on the market. There is a package of 2 huge Reese's peanut butter cups with each cup weighing a pound, and a "shareable" huge Snicker's bar. <br /><br />In light of the obesity and Type 2 Diabetes epidemics in this country, I'm not sure this was a good idea.
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jenlewi responded:
Some of my co-workers were talking about this awhile back. The campaign against King-size candy bars is being championed by the First Lady. It's ridiculous and obnoxious to blame the candy companies for obesity. If you're worried about your weight or your health, it's nobody's fault but your own if you gobble candy instead of eating fruits and vegetables. The folks who are over-eating candy will simply buy more of the smaller bars, and nothing will be accomplished beyond increasing profits for the candy companies, which will then face a certain level of resentment from consumers who only occasionally indulge.
Report This| Share this:Downsized Candy Bars: Is Less Really More?Some of my co-workers were talking about this awhile back. The campaign against King-size candy bars is being championed by the First Lady. It's ridiculous and obnoxious to blame the candy companies for obesity. If you're worried about your weight or your health, it's nobody's fault but your own if you gobble candy instead of eating fruits and vegetables. The folks who are over-eating candy will simply buy more of the smaller bars, and nothing will be accomplished beyond increasing profits for the candy companies, which will then face a certain level of resentment from consumers who only occasionally indulge.
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1nt3rnalC0mbu5t1on responded:
I do agree with the comments about smaller packaging for more money. But as far as down sizing the candy bars, I think it a great idea. I read an article a couple years back in a health magazine and it compared the average serving size for candy bars, hot dogs, soda, etc. from the US to some European countries. On average the US serving size was almost 3x as large as its European counterpart. Do I personally think that it will work in thwarting this countries out of control obesity? NO! Smaller sizes mean that we can eat 2 or 3 to get our same fix. The bottom line is that as human beings we are weak and lack self control, whether its food, smoking, drinking, name your vice. We always tend to over indulge. The cigarette industry has done it with their 72's line...they are marketed as the break time cigarette. smaller so you can smoke them faster...smoke faster buy more!

As for buying bulk produce, the wholesale stores are great for that, I get huge bags of spinach and other greens in mass quantities. For a fair price.

Im not a big chocolate person, well thats not true...i just dont keep chocolate in my home because i know i will eat it, when relaxing. Is it ok to have a candy bar once in a great while, of course, it can take us back in time to when we spent a dime on a candy bar vs. the $2 we just spent
Report This| Share this:Downsized Candy Bars: Is Less Really More?I do agree with the comments about smaller packaging for more money. But as far as down sizing the candy bars, I think it a great idea. I read an article a couple years back in a health magazine and it compared the average serving size for candy bars, hot dogs, soda, etc. from the US to some European countries. On average the US serving size was almost 3x as large as its European counterpart. Do I personally think that it will work in thwarting this countries out of control obesity? NO! Smaller sizes mean that we can eat 2 or 3 to get our same fix. The bottom line is that as human beings we are weak and lack self control, whether its food, smoking, drinking, name your vice. We always tend to over indulge. The cigarette industry has done it with their 72's line...they are marketed as the break time cigarette. smaller so you can smoke them faster...smoke faster buy more! <br /> <br />As for buying bulk produce, the wholesale stores are great for that, I get huge bags of spinach and other greens in mass quantities. For a fair price. <br /> <br />Im not a big chocolate person, well thats not true...i just dont keep chocolate in my home because i know i will eat it, when relaxing. Is it ok to have a candy bar once in a great while, of course, it can take us back in time to when we spent a dime on a candy bar vs. the $2 we just spent <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
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