FAT-FREE FOODS

Never before have Americans had so many fat-free food choices. In our effort to eat healthier diets, consumers have convinced the food industry that tasty fat-free foods are a sign of the times. Yet many fat-free foods have been around for centuries.

Fat-free foods include most fruits and vegetables (excluding avocado and coconut), legumes (beans), and most grains when they are closest to their natural state. How foods are prepared, manufactured, and processed determines the level of fat content in packaged and homemade foods. For example, a glass of skim (non-fat) milk provides the same nutrients as a glass of whole milk, but without the fat calories.

Many fat-free forms of foods are available. Examples include fat-free cookies, crackers, soups, cakes, luncheon meats, ice cream, yogurt, hot dogs, salad dressing, cream cheese, sour cream, and chips.

Food labels provide us with accurate information on the fat content of foods. It is important to look at portion sizes. Some foods may be considered fat-free in small portions, but if you eat a large amount, the small amount of fat per serving may add up. And although these fat-free items provide a lower-fat alternative, they also tend to provide a lot of calories (particularly in the form of simple sugars) and little fiber. In fact, many of us who have switched to fat-free products have actually increased the total calories we eat because we are not controlling our portions.

Anytime more calories are eaten than the body can use, the extra calories are stored as body fat. The key is to eat low-fat and high-fiber foods. Doing this will help to minimize the total amount of fat and calories you eat.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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