Our supermarkets are loaded with the low-fat and fat-free
products. Name a product, and most likely there is a
reduced-fat version of it available in stores. We have lean
meat, low-fat hot dogs, skim milk, low-fat mayo, fat-free
dressings, and even fat-free cookies, cakes and ice cream.
Industry analysts estimate the sales of low-fat and fat-free
products in the United States to be around three billion
dollars per year. With all these "slimmed down" food
options available, why are we getting fatter and fatter
every year? Why don't the low-fat and fat-free foods "cure"
obesity?
The answer is that most people don't understand that they
CAN gain weight even if they are eating 100% fat-free
products. They believe that the fat-free treats are
"innocent", and overindulge on the low-fat cookies, fat-free
muffins, processed snacks and other low-fat "goodies". Then
these people claim that they eat "healthy", and are
surprised that they are still gaining weight.
Believe it or not, I've even met some people who go as far
as thinking that by eating low-fat products they will burn
fat! They eat huge amounts of fat-free foods thinking that
the more of this stuff they'll eat, the more weight they'll
lose Needless to say, they achieve the opposite effect from
their "fat-burning" intentions.
Here's the scoop on the low fat-foods: it's all about the
calories and the quantities of what you eat. Quantity by
quantity, low-fat products tend to have fewer calories than
their full-fat alternatives. For example, one cup of fat-
free milk has about 35% fewer calories than one cup of whole
milk.
If you eat the same quantity of low-fat substitute as you
would if you were eating a full-fat product, you'll be
better off with a low-fat version. In fact, if you ate the
same quantities of food that you do now, but replaced all
food products with low-fat or fat-free versions, you would
lose weight. When used correctly, reduced-fat products are
a great help for losing weight.
However, if you switch to low-fat foods, but eat bigger
portions than you ate before, you will gain weight. For
example, if instead of drinking one cup of whole milk every
morning you will start drinking 2 cups of fat-free milk,
you'll increase the total calories instead of decreasing
them. Portion size is critical. It is much better to eat
one full-fat cookie than a box of fat-free cookies!
Another thing you should watch out for is that "low in fat"
does not always mean "low in calories". Many times fat-free
products are loaded with sugar to compensate for the lack of
fat. Sometimes they have about the same number of calories
per serving as full-fat versions. Always look at the food
labels! For example, one fat-free muffin usually has around
200 calories This makes 2 fat-free muffins have more
calories than a cheeseburger!
In addition, many reduced fat products are lacking in taste.
Therefore, before substituting, follow this rule: are the
saved calories worth the decreased taste? Some low-fat
products taste pretty good, while others are plain
disgusting. Many times, low-fat version tastes OK, while
fat-free just does not cut it - in this case, go with low-
fat.
Look at the calories per serving - if the reduced fat
product only saves 10 calories per serving, but tastes much
worse than the original, it is not worth using. However, if
it cuts calories significantly and tastes decent, it is
really worthwhile... as long as you remember to watch your
portions.
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About The Author
Melanie Mendelson is one of those select few people who
succeeded in losing weight and keeping it off.
She lost 23 lbs and got down to her ideal weight, and she
reveals all her weight loss secrets in her special guide.
Visit Melanie's site at http://www.practical-weight-loss.com
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