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Full fat VS low fat
Bex953172
Posts: 4,159 Member
Which do you think is better in your diet?
And why?
And why?
1
Replies
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You need to eat fat, therefore some of your food has to contain fat.
I choose low fat dairy as I prefer to add fat in other ways - like a sprinkle of nuts with berries on the yoghurt. Skim milk froths better than fattier milk, and I only use it to make froth for my coffee...
I prefer using some egg whites with a whole egg or two rather than all whole eggs as I prefer to add other fat - like avo on the eggs, or in a salad.
I prefer to not cook with oil as I can have a fatty piece of salmon instead.
Some days I'll lower fat in meals so I can include some chocolate, or icecream, or chips/crisps etc
Choose your fats. You need them.30 -
Full fat vs low fat what? I generally steer clear of anything with 'diet' or 'low fat' advertised in it because I feel many times the quality of the product suffers when fat is removed. However I do eat fat free Greek yogurt with my breakfast often because I've found one I like and have it with eggs, which provide the fat. I wind up with a well-balance breakfast from a macro perspective.
I use full fat cheese, milk, eat nuts, avocados, olive oil, etc. Fat isn't scary or to be avoided. Bacon is delicious. Turkey bacon makes me
33 -
For me it depends on which food we are talking about. If we are talking about milk, I would most definitely prefer full fat over low fat because of the many nutrients and vitamins you acquire. You may miss out on those if you choose a low fat/skim milk option.
I would make sure to check the whole nutritional label because even foods that are labeled low fat may be replaced with a high sugar content.12 -
I have done a great deal of personal research on this topic and definitely have an opinion, which can be substantiated by numerous scientific research. Fat in your diet is essential for energy, healthy tissue, controlling inflammation, absorption of fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, & K), and regulation of many hormones. It can even help with weight loss, by providing enough calories and energy to keep you feeling satiated and your energy levels even.
The trick is to eat the right kind of fat, which is mainly plant based, from nuts, seeds, avocados. In addition to plant based polyunsaturated fats, fats found in fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines contain essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6 that help reduce heart disease. Vegetable based fats help with insulin resistance and body inflammation, which contributes to multiple chronic diseases.
Fats from animal sources are called saturated fats and are okay in moderation. You get these from beef, cheese, ice cream, and eggs.
Trans fats are found in processed foods and should be avoided at all costs. Cookies, cakes, and fast food contain trans fats. If it comes in a box, it has trans fats most likely and is artificially created! Additionally, "low fat" foods are often created with increased sugar and other processed items like refined substances (flour, starch). They do this to make the "low fat" taste good, but end up jacking up our blood sugar, spiking our insulin levels and even causing weight GAIN!
So, I personally, so not eat anything "low-fat". It is better to choose half and half for your coffee than processed, sugary creamers. To me, "low-fat" equals high sugar, high insulin body spikes, low nutritionally value, and possible weight gain.
I hope this helps!38 -
Other than milk which is semi-skimmed (as called here in the UK, I believe it's the middle ground between full and almost no) purely due to what I have had all my life making full fat too creamy for me, I don't pay too much attention. We need fat and as long as my protein and calories are good I'm good.4
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CornflakeGirl01 wrote: »I have done a great deal of personal research on this topic and definitely have an opinion, which can be substantiated by numerous scientific research. Fat in your diet is essential for energy, healthy tissue, controlling inflammation, absorption of fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, & K), and regulation of many hormones. It can even help with weight loss, by providing enough calories and energy to keep you feeling satiated and your energy levels even.
The trick is to eat the right kind of fat, which is mainly plant based, from nuts, seeds, avocados. In addition to plant based polyunsaturated fats, fats found in fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines contain essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6 that help reduce heart disease. Vegetable based fats help with insulin resistance and body inflammation, which contributes to multiple chronic diseases.
Fats from animal sources are called saturated fats and are okay in moderation. You get these from beef, cheese, ice cream, and eggs.
Trans fats are found in processed foods and should be avoided at all costs. Cookies, cakes, and fast food contain trans fats. If it comes in a box, it has trans fats most likely and is artificially created! Additionally, "low fat" foods are often created with increased sugar and other processed items like refined substances (flour, starch). They do this to make the "low fat" taste good, but end up jacking up our blood sugar, spiking our insulin levels and even causing weight GAIN!
So, I personally, so not eat anything "low-fat". It is better to choose half and half for your coffee than processed, sugary creamers. To me, "low-fat" equals high sugar, high insulin body spikes, low nutritionally value, and possible weight gain.
I hope this helps!
Yes! this was what I wanted to know!
I knew there was something "bad" about low fat items but weren't sure what it applied to!4 -
(I'm in the UK too)
I've just found that the Greek yoghurt I eat for breakfast comes up with that red notice about its fat content when I log it.
And I'm always slightly over in my fat content
But didn't want to go down the low fat route if I can just switch my foods3 -
(I'm in the UK too)
I've just found that the Greek yoghurt I eat for breakfast comes up with that red notice about its fat content when I log it.
And I'm always slightly over in my fat content
But didn't want to go down the low fat route if I can just switch my foods
The total fat goal is a minimum. Going over is fine. The saturated fat goal is recommended as a maximum amount - the fat in dairy is saturated, you decide whether you want to go low fat dairy or not. If you're having plain natural yoghurt, the low fat option doesn't have added sugar.6 -
Depends on what it is...I prefer 1% milk...I prefer no fat greek yogurt...I prefer 2% cottage cheese...I prefer full fat any other kind of cheese...etc, etc, etc...just depends on what it is...I also eat things like avocados, nuts, fatty fish, eggs, etc...
I don't want or need full fat everything...but I also don't need reduced or not fat everything either and dietary fat is essential to your health.11 -
Don't worry about being over. I focus on protein and if I'm over on fat I don't sweat it. In fact the only macro I pay any attention to is protein.9
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CornflakeGirl01 wrote: »I have done a great deal of personal research on this topic and definitely have an opinion, which can be substantiated by numerous scientific research. Fat in your diet is essential for energy, healthy tissue, controlling inflammation, absorption of fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, & K), and regulation of many hormones. It can even help with weight loss, by providing enough calories and energy to keep you feeling satiated and your energy levels even.
The trick is to eat the right kind of fat, which is mainly plant based, from nuts, seeds, avocados. In addition to plant based polyunsaturated fats, fats found in fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines contain essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6 that help reduce heart disease. Vegetable based fats help with insulin resistance and body inflammation, which contributes to multiple chronic diseases.
Fats from animal sources are called saturated fats and are okay in moderation. You get these from beef, cheese, ice cream, and eggs.
Trans fats are found in processed foods and should be avoided at all costs. Cookies, cakes, and fast food contain trans fats. If it comes in a box, it has trans fats most likely and is artificially created! Additionally, "low fat" foods are often created with increased sugar and other processed items like refined substances (flour, starch). They do this to make the "low fat" taste good, but end up jacking up our blood sugar, spiking our insulin levels and even causing weight GAIN!
So, I personally, so not eat anything "low-fat". It is better to choose half and half for your coffee than processed, sugary creamers. To me, "low-fat" equals high sugar, high insulin body spikes, low nutritionally value, and possible weight gain.
I hope this helps!
Where do you live that all of your boxed foods have transfat? None of mine do. I think you may be relying on hyperbole and fearmongering a bit much here.
I'm in the "I use low fat products where I choose and full fat products where I prefer" camp.24 -
My ears perked up, did someone mention bacon!?
35 -
Whichever fits my calories and macros on any given day.3
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diannethegeek wrote: »CornflakeGirl01 wrote: »I have done a great deal of personal research on this topic and definitely have an opinion, which can be substantiated by numerous scientific research. Fat in your diet is essential for energy, healthy tissue, controlling inflammation, absorption of fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, & K), and regulation of many hormones. It can even help with weight loss, by providing enough calories and energy to keep you feeling satiated and your energy levels even.
The trick is to eat the right kind of fat, which is mainly plant based, from nuts, seeds, avocados. In addition to plant based polyunsaturated fats, fats found in fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines contain essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6 that help reduce heart disease. Vegetable based fats help with insulin resistance and body inflammation, which contributes to multiple chronic diseases.
Fats from animal sources are called saturated fats and are okay in moderation. You get these from beef, cheese, ice cream, and eggs.
Trans fats are found in processed foods and should be avoided at all costs. Cookies, cakes, and fast food contain trans fats. If it comes in a box, it has trans fats most likely and is artificially created! Additionally, "low fat" foods are often created with increased sugar and other processed items like refined substances (flour, starch). They do this to make the "low fat" taste good, but end up jacking up our blood sugar, spiking our insulin levels and even causing weight GAIN!
So, I personally, so not eat anything "low-fat". It is better to choose half and half for your coffee than processed, sugary creamers. To me, "low-fat" equals high sugar, high insulin body spikes, low nutritionally value, and possible weight gain.
I hope this helps!
Where do you live that all of your boxed foods have transfat? None of mine do. I think you may be relying on hyperbole and fearmongering a bit much here.
I'm in the "I use low fat products where I choose and full fat products where I prefer" camp.
This. I just did a random sampling of food in my pantry and fridge and chips, cookies, syrup, pop tarts, coffee creamer, even tub margarine (I know, my husband bought it by mistake) had zero trans fats.
To the OP - calories are what matter for weight loss. Some people have a medical reason to restrict carbs and thus choose a higher fat diet to support LC. Some people have medical reasons for a Low Fat diet. If you don't have a medical reason, then you can eat either full fat or low fat foods as you prefer taste wise and accommodating them in your overall calorie plan.5 -
Oh good!
Thanks for all the useful info!
Full fat all the way for me
6 -
Full fat vs low fat what? I generally steer clear of anything with 'diet' or 'low fat' advertised in it because I feel many times the quality of the product suffers when fat is removed. However I do eat fat free Greek yogurt with my breakfast often because I've found one I like and have it with eggs, which provide the fat. I wind up with a well-balance breakfast from a macro perspective.
I use full fat cheese, milk, eat nuts, avocados, olive oil, etc. Fat isn't scary or to be avoided. Bacon is delicious. Turkey bacon makes me
@pinuplove What full fat Greek yogurt brand have you found that you enjoy? I'm looking for something new.. planning on trying plain Greek and adding mix-ins to avoid some of that crazy amount of sugar in the fruit yogurt.
Any responses are appreciated! Thanks
Regarding OP... I used to go with fat free this and that.. but that was when I started out. Many times when you buy a product that has the fat cut they'll increase the sugar. Same if you buy sugar free or reduced sugar, they raise the sodium or fat.livingleanlivingclean wrote: »You need to eat fat, therefore some of your food has to contain fat.
I choose low fat dairy as I prefer to add fat in other ways - like a sprinkle of nuts with berries on the yoghurt. Skim milk froths better than fattier milk, and I only use it to make froth for my coffee...
I prefer using some egg whites with a whole egg or two rather than all whole eggs as I prefer to add other fat - like avo on the eggs, or in a salad.
I prefer to not cook with oil as I can have a fatty piece of salmon instead.
Some days I'll lower fat in meals so I can include some chocolate, or icecream, or chips/crisps etc
Choose your fats. You need them.
I like what you've shared..thinking it through like that makes sense, thanks for tanking time to share that. 1 -
It depends on what makes dieting easier for you. Would you rather go for the taste of full fat or does low fat taste not bother you enough?
Personally, it depends for me. Greek yogurt almost NEEDS to be full fat for me to enjoy it and low fat regular yogurt is too much hassle to hunt down so I typically go for full fat in that case too. I used skim milk for oatmeal and pancakes, and half fat milk for drinking (1.5% fat). Cheese needs to be full fat or I won't eat it, except for one brand that I can't always find. Low fat cookies are typically not worth it, they make it sound like a big deal but the actual reduction in calories is too small to be worth the taste compromise. Low fat pudding, on the other hand, is a very acceptable choice for me.
I'm not overly worried about vitamin absorption because I most definitely get my fat elsewhere within most meals, it doesn't have to be in milk, and no, skim milk doesn't have added sugar (sugar isn't something I'm concerned about anyway). Low fat does not mean low nutritional value or extra sugar, and they will never cause you to gain weight unless your overall intake of all the foods you are eating ends up putting you at a higher calorie level than your body needs. Feel free to judge for yourself if using something that is lower in fat is worth the extra calories saved without being swayed by fear mongering.3 -
livingleanlivingclean wrote: »You need to eat fat, therefore some of your food has to contain fat.
I choose low fat dairy as I prefer to add fat in other ways - like a sprinkle of nuts with berries on the yoghurt. Skim milk froths better than fattier milk, and I only use it to make froth for my coffee...
I prefer using some egg whites with a whole egg or two rather than all whole eggs as I prefer to add other fat - like avo on the eggs, or in a salad.
I prefer to not cook with oil as I can have a fatty piece of salmon instead.
Some days I'll lower fat in meals so I can include some chocolate, or icecream, or chips/crisps etc
Choose your fats. You need them.
Good explanation. I approach it similarly, although it leads me to some similar choices, some different ones, because of course preferences/macros/calories differ.1 -
@Hearts_2015 I like Oikos but I get the flavored kind. I don't track sugar, just carbs, so it's not worth the extra hassle for me to flavor my own.2
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I choose mostly low fat foods so I can have calories for foods I want. I still get, imo, plenty of fat to deal with vitamin absorption.1
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CornflakeGirl01 wrote: »I have done a great deal of personal research on this topic and definitely have an opinion, which can be substantiated by numerous scientific research. Fat in your diet is essential for energy, healthy tissue, controlling inflammation, absorption of fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, & K), and regulation of many hormones. It can even help with weight loss, by providing enough calories and energy to keep you feeling satiated and your energy levels even.
The trick is to eat the right kind of fat, which is mainly plant based, from nuts, seeds, avocados. In addition to plant based polyunsaturated fats, fats found in fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines contain essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6 that help reduce heart disease. Vegetable based fats help with insulin resistance and body inflammation, which contributes to multiple chronic diseases.
Fats from animal sources are called saturated fats and are okay in moderation. You get these from beef, cheese, ice cream, and eggs.
Trans fats are found in processed foods and should be avoided at all costs. Cookies, cakes, and fast food contain trans fats. If it comes in a box, it has trans fats most likely and is artificially created! Additionally, "low fat" foods are often created with increased sugar and other processed items like refined substances (flour, starch). They do this to make the "low fat" taste good, but end up jacking up our blood sugar, spiking our insulin levels and even causing weight GAIN!
So, I personally, so not eat anything "low-fat". It is better to choose half and half for your coffee than processed, sugary creamers. To me, "low-fat" equals high sugar, high insulin body spikes, low nutritionally value, and possible weight gain.
I hope this helps!
What a totally ridiculous series of exaggerations and hyperbole!
OP - read the labels of foods when you select them.
In the UK it's actually rare to find artificial transfats in foods.
The fat goal is really a minimum not a maximum, fat in suitable amounts is a good thing and can't make you fat unless you are in a calorie surplus.13 -
Full fat, because it's food.
4 -
The only low fat items i buy are plain Greek yogurt, it tastes the same as full fat to me but has less calories, and cottage cheese, i prefer the taste and texture of the low fat cottage cheese to the full fat stodgy and too salty version.
I usually hover anywhere between 55-95g of fat everyday.2 -
What are we talking about here? There's some recent research that says that eating full-fat dairy may be linked to better cardiovascular health and lower risk of diabetes. On the other hand, there's a whole buncha research that says that healthy weight is also related to both those things.
Personally, I'd go with the one that helped me control my food intake while pleasing my palate, which is (no joke) 2%.6 -
CornflakeGirl01 wrote: »I have done a great deal of personal research on this topic and definitely have an opinion, which can be substantiated by numerous scientific research. Fat in your diet is essential for energy, healthy tissue, controlling inflammation, absorption of fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, & K), and regulation of many hormones. It can even help with weight loss, by providing enough calories and energy to keep you feeling satiated and your energy levels even.
The trick is to eat the right kind of fat, which is mainly plant based, from nuts, seeds, avocados. In addition to plant based polyunsaturated fats, fats found in fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines contain essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6 that help reduce heart disease. Vegetable based fats help with insulin resistance and body inflammation, which contributes to multiple chronic diseases.
Fats from animal sources are called saturated fats and are okay in moderation. You get these from beef, cheese, ice cream, and eggs.
Trans fats are found in processed foods and should be avoided at all costs. Cookies, cakes, and fast food contain trans fats. If it comes in a box, it has trans fats most likely and is artificially created! Additionally, "low fat" foods are often created with increased sugar and other processed items like refined substances (flour, starch). They do this to make the "low fat" taste good, but end up jacking up our blood sugar, spiking our insulin levels and even causing weight GAIN!
So, I personally, so not eat anything "low-fat". It is better to choose half and half for your coffee than processed, sugary creamers. To me, "low-fat" equals high sugar, high insulin body spikes, low nutritionally value, and possible weight gain.
I hope this helps!
Yes! this was what I wanted to know!
I knew there was something "bad" about low fat items but weren't sure what it applied to!
There is nothing wrong with low fat items. food is food. I have to be on a low fat diet due to a health issue.low fat does not mean high sugar or high insulin spikes.I have read labels on low fat and regular fat products and there isnt much difference in the sugar content,a lot of the regular fat items tend to be higher in sugar a lot of the time,but not always.
insulin spikes happen in healthy people too. its how insulin works,if you have an insulin issue and have to watch your sugar/carbs thats one thing. but you can eat regular fat or low fat foods, its up to as long as you dont have a health issue.weight gain also only happens in a surplus of calories.4 -
I eat all kinds of foods that come in boxes that don't have trans-fat. It's usually specifically baked goods that did have trans-fat, and many of those have been phased out.
Back in the 80's and 90's when fat was supposed to be the enemy, there were lots of low-fat treats and snack foods that had lots of added sugar and salt, but again we're talking about 25 years ago. Now that everyone has jumped on the sugar-is-te-devil bandwagon, I doubt you'd find much food that is high in sugar so they can call it low fat.
The only low fat foods I can even think of seeing around now is dairy, and they do NOT add sugar to low-fat dairy. I'll eat some low fat and some full fat yogurt. I drink 2% milk because that's what I grew up on and I think whole milk is weird
. I like low-fat ricotta and cottage cheese, but full fat of pretty much any other kind of cheese.
I don't really think you can generalize that "low fat" or "full fat" is either all good or all bad.7 -
I've gotten used to nonfat milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese, and I prefer them now. Also I like that they are quite a bit lower in calories. Nonfat hard cheeses, though, taste plasticky to me and don't melt properly so I go for low-fat or types that are naturally lower in fat. Most other foods that are sold as low-fat aren't great (imo) and often have added sugar, which I don't need.2
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