Yes, it's that time of year when cookies not only tempt us from supermarket shelves, but arrive at our very doors via those sweet and innocent Points-pushers otherwise known as Girl Scouts. And, according to the Girl Scouts organization (and Girl Scouts are not supposed to lie), when we're approached, over 80 percent of us will buy the cookies. The #1 reason we give for the purchase: "To support Girl Scouting." (Unlike Girl Scouts, however, some of us do lie -- we just want those cookies!!!)
To help you stay on program, we've listed the Point counts for a variety of these yummy crunchies. An important note: Girl Scout cookies are made by different licensed commercial bakeries, and nutritional content -- and Point counts -- can vary.
For instance, according to their websites, a two-cookie serving of Caramel deLites (also called Samoas) from ABC Bakers contains 140 calories, 1 gram of fiber and 7 grams of fat = 3 Points per two-cookie serving. Two of Little Brownie Bakers' Samoas, on the other hand, contain 150 calories, 0 grams of fiber and 8 grams of fat = 4 Points per two-cookie serving.
Check the boxes with your PointsFinder to be sure of what you're eating.
Reduced Fat Daisy Go Rounds5-cookie pack = 2 Points
Caramel deLites2 cookies = 3 Points
Shortbread4 cookies = 3 Points
Do-Si-Dos2 cookies = 3 Points
Lemon Chalet Cremes3 cookies = 4 Points
Thin Mints4 cookies = 4 Points
Sugar Free Chocolate Chips3 cookies = 4 Points
Peanut Butter Sandwich3 cookies = 4 Points
Tagalongs2 cookies = 4 Points
Peanut Butter Patties2 cookies = 4 Points
Trefoils5 cookies = 4 Points
Lemonades2 cookies = 4 Points
Thanks-A-Lot2 cookies = 4 Points
Samoas2 cookies = 4 Points
Dulce de Leche3 cookies = 5 Points
Goodness Multiplied
Better yet: To help your waistline and help the Girl Scouts, buy the cookies but let your Scout keep them for use in a community service project or "gift of caring" -- for example, collecting for a food pantry or even sending cookies to our military overseas!
And yet another benefit: You can report the purchase price of the donated cookies as a charitable contribution on your taxes. The Girl Scouts say so. And remember, they're not supposed to lie!
