“Fat Free, Reduced Fat, Low Fat Leads to More Weight and Less Health”

January 21, 2010 06:43 AM

There are many terms that are misleading in the food advertising industry today. Think of how many times you see the following phrases plastered all over food containers:

• Fat Free
• Reduced Fat
• Low Fat
• Sugar Free
• No Added Sugar
• Diet [Insert Product Name Here]

We are supposed to believe that each of these categories makes a food healthier. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Here is what these phrases really mean:

• Fat free, but full of sugar and chemicals.
• Reduced fat, but increased carbohydrates.
• Low fat, but high glycemic index.
• Sugar free, but artificial everything else.
• No added sugar… because the all natural version has enough sugar to give you type II diabetes anyway.
• “Diet” food, but it causes cancer in lab rats so don’t drink/eat too much of it.

Consider the logic that food manufactures would have us believe: fat-free is good for you; jelly beans, jolly ranchers, and cotton candy are fat-free; therefore all those sugary candies are good for you. Think about it. In fact, a study at John Hopkins University recently determined a link between high blood sugar and heart disease. This means high glycemic foods, such as the candy I just mentioned as well as many similar products, are inherently unhealthy.

For fat logic its easy read the label, if it says trans-fat you say no. Overall you must know that if man makes the fat in a lab to increase shelf life its most likely bad. If God makes it in nature it has a much better chance of being good.

Trans fats are produced in a lab somewhere, not nature. They do this so they can withstand the food processing and provide presevation. This process of hydrogenation produces trans fatty acids.

Good Fats: Polyunsaturated fats & Monounsaturated fats can help you lower your cholesterol, especially your bad cholesterol (LDL). Look for foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids.

Bottom line: if you want to lose weight and enjoy long term health, eliminate trans fats from your diet, then avoid fast food restaurants like the plaque, drink more water and leave the soda in the store. Concentrate on eating those foods that have not gone through a lot of processing. Vegetables, fruit, meats including chicken, fish and beef. Absolutely you can include whole grains, seeds, nuts.

Let’s examine some examples of other nasty food that is supposed to be healthy, but will secretly kill you faster than lightning.

Fat-Free or Reduced Fat Salad Dressing

Please understand when fat comes out, sugar goes in, or artificial flavors and sweeteners. And remember many nutrients in vegetables are fat soluble. When you take away the fat from the dressing you inadvertently also prevent many of the salad’s nutrients from being absorbed into your body. This was confirmed by a study at Ohio State University where a higher fat salad dressing resulted in an increased uptake of the antioxidants.

A salad dressing made with olive oil and vinegar is a healthier choice.

Diet Soda

Most people understand that soda is horrible for you, but take out the sugar and add in carcinogenic artificial sweeteners, combined with the artificial flavors and colors that are in all sodas, and you have a recipe for sickness. Then of course you’ve got the caffeine factor, which is linked to hyperactivity, high blood pressure, and will also mess with your blood sugar.

Everyone knows that preservatives + artificial flavors + artificial colors + 35 grams of sugar = a bad food or drink choice.

Is it any wonder cancer has increased steadily since the mid to late 70’s? Look at all the chemicals we are forced to put into our bodies. Hormones, pesticides, steroids, preservatives, chemicals and other nasty crud are added to multiple processed foods.

Drinking soda and especially diet soda does not help you with weight loss, and could in fact contribute to a shorter lifespan. Study after scientific study has shown artificial sweeteners like aspartame, NutraSweet saccharin, all cause increased cravings for carbohydrates. Instead choose water, an often neglected nutrient for many Americans.

White Pasta, Pasta Salad, White Bread, Bagels, Croutons, and Pretzels

One word: carbohydrates. All of these foods are made with processed white flour. These foods will spike your blood sugar faster than Michael Phelps swims 50 meters. You also won’t get much nutrition in the way of protein, fiber, vitamins, or minerals from any of these foods.

It is a proven fact the white flour products produce little for the nutritional good, but are the primary reason for slowing of the colon and decreased absorption. The bleaching and intense processing kills the germination, destroys enzymes, and reduces nutritional value. For your own proof, take a slice of white bread and lay it on the counter top, alongside a real whole grain slice of bread. The whole grain bread will get moldy 10 times faster than the white bread. Why? Because the white flour has literally been killed.

I always recommend 100% whole grain or whole wheat pasta for increased fiber and protein. I personally think as Americans we eat too much bread, and bread products. Try eating more vegetables, fruit, nuts and protein.

Make yours a healthy tomorrow…