Mars Inc., the makers of popular candy brands including M&M's and Twix, announced that they will stop making chocolate products that exceed 250 calories by the end of next year. Mars may not have to make radical changes to reach its goal, however; a standard Snickers bar currently has 280 calories. A package of Twix and a bag of peanut M&M's each clock in at 250 calories.

Although they decided to proceed with this goal last September, It is still unsure exactly how it will reach its caloric levels; will the products become smaller, or just contain lower caloric ingredients? And if they are smaller. . . what about the price? I am suspecting it will not decrease.

Of course whenever a company chooses to promote a healthier product I am pleased. But, I also question the motive in this case. The company said in an emailed statement that it has shown a "broad-based commitment to health and nutrition" in recent years. Really? Now hear me out. . . I have nothing wrong with the occasional treat, and love me some chocolate. But when a billion dollar candy maker claims they are committed to health and nutrition, I become a bit of a skeptic. Do these types of marketing decisions really have an impact on what consumers decide to put into their shopping carts or their mouths? Is this another smoke-and-mirrors marketing ploy by a food company to get consumers to feel good about buying products that they may have forgone?

And what about the packaging of these new "healthier" products. . . .will they say Snickers Light, Diet M&Ms, Whole Grain Twix? Will these new products lure people who rarely indulge into purchasing them more often by justifying the lower calories? Or will it help those who indulge often by simply offering a lower caloric count of which they may not be conscious? I suspect that this new initiative may in fact have more to do with fattening their pockets, and less to do with unfattening America.

At the end of the day, these products are still packed with processed sugar, which is a powerful and addicting drug for many (if not most) Americans. Processed sugar only leaves you feeling full temporarily, and once you give your body that taste of sugar, your body tends to crave more. 200 calories is 200 calories; but would you rather the content of the calories be processed sugar that will leave you hungry, or be full of nutrients that keep you satisfied and energized?

I am not saying never eat candy bars. What I am saying is be an aware, educated and conscious consumer when purchasing and eating processed sweets. Do not fall victim to marketing strategies that imply candy bars are "healthy". So, in a nutshell. . . simply THINK before you eat.