I was wondering if someone could offer some tips on either a) a good brand of lowfat crackers (that possibly has small serving sizes0 or B) other good ideas to use my 1/2 serving of starch for. I am a single person so buying a large box which will be sitting around for long periods of time is not appealing. Plus, i was wondering if we can squeeze in any of Nabisco's treats that are 100 calories.
I appreciate any help (starting week 2).

If you look at your grocery list you should have a bit list of starch options. The guideline given for a starch exchange is (I think, off the top of my head), 70-80 calories, 15g carb, 3g fat or less, and I think 1g protein or less. So, the 100-calorie snack packs would count as about 1-1/4 starches if it didn't have more than 4 or 5g fat. Alternately, you could eat 3/4 of the package and count that as 1 starch. You can eat ANY starch as long as you count it correctly. For example, I often eat reduced fat Triscuits, but if I eat the full serving listed on the package, it's too many for a single starch exchange. So, I just do the math and eat as many crackers as I need for that serving.

I had a question along these lines also. I have looked at Wheat Thins and didn't know if it would be better for reduced sodium, reduced fat, or I'm not sure if they have a reduced calorie option. What is it better to look at fat, sodium, or calories?
In answer to the original question, I usally sub a slice of low-cal. bread. I use Sara Lee Honey Wheat.
Becky

A lot of crackers have a lot of fat in them, more than the JC guideline for a starch exchange allows. Therefore, if you eat the "regular" variety, you have to count it towards your fat exchanges for the day as well. There's nothing wrong with doing that, it just depends on how you want to use your exchanges. So, I typically buy low-fat versions because I'd prefer to "spend" my fat elsewhere. If you want low sodium because it's of concern to you, they are typically going to have the same amount of fat as regular crackers.
Nothing is "better" or "worse" -- it just depends on your own goals and how you want to spend the exchanges you have. It's all about knowing the parameters of each exchange -- how many calories, carbohydrate, fat, and protein is allowed for each type of exchange -- and reading labels to determine how much of any food to eat and how to count it.
It's really not hard, but it's something that takes some practice. If all of this is foreign to you, then talk to your consultant at your very next appt and have them help you with it. It's a crucial skill to have, and it will become second nature after you practice a bit.

One cracker that is very good for you, and gives a lot of bang for the buck, is a cracker called Ak-Mak. You can have five pieces for 2.5 grams of fat and high fiber as well. If you have a trader joes near you, you're in luck. Give it a shot, it is not a huge box and I've grown to love them.

Wow, you guys are great! Thanks for your help. This really is a *precise* science! But you are right in that it is a crucial skill as well. I had bought the rice cakes and was pleased to find out (just got the exchange list) that 2 are 1 serving so I can have 1 whole rice cake as my 1/2 starch- YAY!!!
Tippie, thanks for the tip about Ak-Mak, i live in the city so don't have a trader joe's but will pester a co-worker of mine to investigate! Anything I can have more of that is also high fiber works for me!!
Have a great day!!