In response to the multitude of consumers seeking to eat healthier and lose weight, the snack food manufacturers have produced low-fat and no-fat versions of many of our beloved snacks. Potato chips, cookies, and brownies are just a few of our favorite junk foods that have been revamped. The production of these low-fat and no-fat snacks has become a profitable industry for the companies. So it would seem that this should be considered a win-win proposition for all. But is it a win for the consumers?
The answer may actually be no. How could that be, you may wonder. The answer is simple. Consumers of these weight conscious snacks have failed to remember the most important rule of eating; portion sizes matter. Because the products advertise fat free and low fat, many people assume they can eat with impunity. In fact, many people eat more of the “healthy” version of the snacks than they would have even considered eating with the regular products.
Why is portion size relevant when the snacks are low-fat and fat-free? Although the products contain less or no fat, they do not contain less calories or sugar. In fact, the calorie and sugar contents are equal to their less healthy counterparts. So when you are eating these snacks with abandon, you are consuming excessive amounts of calories. The calories will turn into (gasp) fat. So instead of having the expected affect on your body (losing weight), you could actually see weight gain.
The lesson here is plain. A fat-free label on the product doesn’t give you license to overeat. You still have to pay attention to portions and serving sizes. Calories unburned will equal added pounds. If you can control your portion sizes, eating small amounts of your favorite products may be better. Without the fat-free label, you will be less likely to forget the dreaded calories. And you may feel more satisfied indulging in something rich and delicious as opposed to a lot of something that tastes fat-free.