Low-Cal vs. Low Sugar

Maintaining a low intake of fat is generally a good idea as part of maintaining weight and health. However, it is easy to assume as many do that eating lower fat or even fat free options will automatically allow you stave off extra weight. Not so! As it turns out, many “low fat” items actually have more sugar added to make them tastier, and while many might think that eating a low fat variety of a food item might allow you to eat more of it, this is not necessarily the case.

Some items, such as peanut butter, actually tend on average to have the same amount of calories in their low fat varieties as they do in their regular versions. Many, like Oreos, Wheat Thins, and apple cinnamon muffins have calorie counts that are only a little bit lower in their low fat incarnations versus their regular ones. On occasion, certain foods will actually have more calories in their low fat versions than the normal forms! Low fat fruit-flavored yogurt, for instance, has on average slightly more calories than the regular version, at 173 calories versus 170 flat.

This doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy our favorite foods, but merely that we should not think that eating the “low fat” version is necessarily the best way to avoid unpleasant effects. Instead, if you happen to enjoy a food that is high in fat or calories, enjoy it but simply limit your intake of it. Make sure to exercise regularly and maintain a balanced diet rather than simply stocking up on as many food with “low fat” labels as you can find. The label itself can be deceptive, and lead to self-sabotage of your own efforts if you rely too much on these options.

With some common sense and balance, anyone can still enjoy their favorite foods, even in their regular varieties, and still lead a healthy lifestyle.