Dieters beware! How trouble-free is fat-free?

Take care while choosing these 'fat-free' foods because they really don't always mean what you assume they do. Here's why...

When you're on a diet and shopping for grocery, how often does your hand reach out for 'fat-free', 'low-fat' and 'light' products?

Don't hesitate in admitting that it's almost every time.

Be it biscuits, chocolates, sauces, colas, chips etc. there are a billion food products that claim to be fat-free.

But, do you really think your diet is trouble-free if you include these so called 'fat-free' foods?

Unfortunately, those brightly coloured labels that scream 'fat-free' or 'no cholesterol' or 'light' etc. can be false claims. So, take care because they really don't always mean what you assume they do. Here's why:

Where fat-free gets it wrong

The biggest downfall of fat-free products is that food-makers add an excess of other ingredients like sugar, flour, salt, artificial flavours etc. to enhance the taste. These add-ons don't do your diet any good. They only add to the calories you're putting on.

If the so called fat-free product is tasty, you might just end up eating too much of it and derailing your weight loss effort.

Don't think fat-free. Instead, think good fat

One must pay attention to the type of fat consumed rather than the amount of fat. To ensure that your body receives optimum nutrition, you must focus on the 'good fats', which include polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.

Try and avoid foods high in saturated fats and eliminate trans fat from your diet as much as possible.

Choose natural over processed

At the end of the day, most fat-free products are processed, which results in the loss of major nutrients. Food consumed in its raw form is the best way to ensure that your body receives optimum nutrition.

Eating more vegetables, fruits, pulses and complex whole grains, which are naturally low in fat, packs your body with essential nutrients.

The bottom line: Don't be lured by meaningless claims. If you maintain healthy eating habits and couple that with an effective exercise routine, you'll achieve your weight loss target in no time.

Think right, get fit.

Photograph: Alpha/Creative Commons