Almost every product available out in the market today has its fat-free or low-fat version. But what do we really know about low-fat? What does it mean if it says low-fat? Many research studies reveal that a low fat diet is healthy and can help in preventing heart disease such as coronary artery diseases that leads to heart attack and stroke.
Fat is an essential part of our body along with protein and carbohydrates. Essential fatty acids are derived from fat in the food that we eat. These essential fatty acids are important in body functions like clotting, immune response and brain development. Fat also functions as a reserve for the body if it needs extra calories to be burned from continuous activity. Though fat deposits are generally not pretty to look at especially in the mid section of our abdomen and thighs it serves a significant purpose of insulating the body against cold environment. Fat also helps in maintaining a healthy glowing skin and a smooth flowing hair.
The bad effects of fat mainly come from the saturated kind. Saturated fats such as those found in dairy products, meat and plant sources can cause accumulation of fat deposits in the blood vessels that can produce blockage and puts an individual at high risk for heart attacks or stroke. It is a good thing that most people nowadays are aware of the undesirable effects of saturated fats and are slowly switching to healthier options. Since fat cannot be eliminated entirely in the diet for its nutritional value and also for the distinct taste and flavor it brings to our food, we do have the option to take control of how much fat we can take. Buying low fat versions of milk, cheese, and other dairy products can give you positive benefits in the long run.
To distinguish if the foods we buy are really low fat we need to be familiar with the terms used for their classification.
| Calorie free | Has less than 5 calories per serving |
| Fat free | Has less than 0.5 grams of fat per serving |
| Lite | Has only 1/3 fewer calories or no more than half of the fat of the original product |
| Low Fat | Has only 3 grams of fat or lower |
| Low saturated fat | Contains 1 gram of saturated fat or less |
Something that says “lite” does not necessarily mean it’s healthy; it just contains fewer calories than the normal serving. It is important to read the nutritional facts label before believing what the front package says. Most of these low fat versions are packaged foods and normally contains a generous amount of sugar and sodium as preservatives. These can be misleading since consumers are made to believe that they are consuming less calories because of the low fat content but in reality the sodium and sugar substitutes are equally the same.
Eating foods that are low in fat will yield promising results if taken in moderation and coupled with regular exercise. Essential fats and good cholesterol can be found in sources like nuts, olive oil and fish.
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