Fat Free, Sugar Free, etc.

ambuney83

Hi:

Just wondering how many people still eat FF/SF or just go for the real thing. I have been reading that the FF/SF are filled with chemicals to replce the fat and sugar that is taken out, and that the full fat/sugar option may actually be healthier, in moderation of course. For example, if i go to Starbucks I get a "skinny" vanilla latte which is FF/SF because I would feel guilty having all the calories, and sugar that come in a regular latte. (Or should I just skip these? I get them about once a week.) I am not overly concerend with fat as much as sugar and calories and usually go middle of the road with light or reduced fat. Just wanted to get people's opinions on this and which one really is healthier. Thanks!

SergeantSunshine_reused

To me it depends on the food item we are talking about. The FF/SF Starbucks once a week would be completely fine! Sometimes I like sugar free jello, fat free mayo, fat free milk, and products like that. Lets me still have flavor that i like with little calories :]

Fat free cheese, low fat peanut butter, and splenda in my baked goods? No thanks! gross xD

_GlaDOS_

i'm really not into the whole fake sugar thing. I simply don't understand what is wrong with pure cane sugar.

As for fat, it is most certainly good for you. Especially in the form of cheese.

lindseyb317

most starbucks in particular use splenda in their ff/sf syrups. a "skinny" latte at SB just means they use the splenda syrup, non fat milk, and whipped cream.
splenda gives me migraines, so i just get a normal drink with non fat milk and no whip. this eliminates alot of calories. the full fat/sugar syrup is my treat to myself
i personally dont eat anything with artificial sweeteners and stay away from as much processed food as possible, but its truly your decision.

teagin2002

If I know I will have plenty of calories to use (through exercising) I go full fat, still low sugar or sugar free though.
If I didn't do much exercise then I will go low fat only because of the calories. I use the calories used as a bank. If I have plenty of calories in my calorie bank then I can eat plenty of calories, if not then I just don't have them to spend them and will have to go with a cheaper option (low and reduced fat).

killagb

most starbucks in particular use splenda in their ff/sf syrups. a "skinny" latte at SB just means they use the splenda syrup, non fat milk, and whipped cream.
splenda gives me migraines, so i just get a normal drink with non fat milk and no whip. this eliminates alot of calories. the full fat/sugar syrup is my treat to myself
i personally dont eat anything with artificial sweeteners and stay away from as much processed food as possible, but its truly your decision.

Not sure if that was a typo, but there is no whipped cream on a skinny Also remember another option when using the syrups, you can ask for 'half sweet' so they use half the pumps of syrup than they normally would. For instance, in a Pumpkin Spice latte, I'll have it with only 2 pumps of the pumpkin sauce(instead of 4 in a grande) and with no whip, non-fat milk...only 200 cals vs. 260 for the one with all 4 pumps. It still tastes plenty pumpkin-y. :bigsmile:

stylistchik

I prefer to eat "clean" which total eliminates the debate. No processed food means no added sugar/fat/etc. If you go to starbucks get a skim or soy latte (they use organic soy milk YAY!) and sweeten it with raw sugar or honey. If it's the vanilla flavor you like try their vanilla rooibos tea - it's delicious! Use olive oil + balsamic vinegar + seasonings on salads = no dressing (sketchy ingredients/sugar/fat/etc). Use avocado on a sandwich instead of mayo, good fat plus nutrients. Low fat sweet treats? Replace butter/oil in baking with unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana. Natural sugar, more fiber, less fat. Little things like that go a long way.

pixiechick8321

I'm another person who rarely eats these "diet" foods - fake sugar makes me sick and so I'd rather use real sugar or honey...

I do eat lower fat yogurt and cottage cheese, but usually those are made with skim milk instead of whole milk - and since I can't drink whole milk anyway, it's an easy sub for me.

I also don't eat mayo or a lot of butter - I'd rather use olive oil or avocados or other ways to season food.

Plus, I find it a little weird that some things are SO low (or 0) calories - I mean that's a feat of food science and I like my food to be from nature, not a lab.

Rilke

Real > fake

MattGetsMad

Interesting fact: Items can be labeled "fat free" so long as there is less than .5 grams of fat per serving.

Generic Fat Free Cookies
20 per box
serving size: 1 cookie
potential fat in box: right around 10 grams

Have to read the ingredients!

kittzle

I prefer to reach for Sugar free because that's how I grew up. My dad was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 2 years old.
There are several things I can't stand with regular sugar because I never had it and it tastes weird to have it now. The most notables being pancake syrup, kool-aid, jelly/jam and jello/pudding.

Rilke

I prefer to reach for Sugar free because that's how I grew up. My dad was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 2 years old.
There are several things I can't stand with regular sugar because I never had it and it tastes weird to have it now. The most notables being pancake syrup, kool-aid, jelly/jam and jello/pudding.

But those are all fake foods anyway. Have you ever had real maple syrup? Homemade fruit preserves?

steffiejoe

I perfer full fat and real sugar. I gave up Dr.Peppers years ago because they started sweetening it with HFCS. I don't go over board with the sugar but when I do have it , its the real deal.

Low fat/fat free makes me cranky :grumble:

SergeantSunshine_reused

I prefer to reach for Sugar free because that's how I grew up. My dad was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 2 years old.
There are several things I can't stand with regular sugar because I never had it and it tastes weird to have it now. The most notables being pancake syrup, kool-aid, jelly/jam and jello/pudding.

But those are all fake foods anyway. Have you ever had real maple syrup? Homemade fruit preserves?

Real maple syrup = 210 calories SF syrup = 20
fake stuff can be better for some when counting calories. I use SF syrup occasionally

frugalmomsrock

I use a little of both (fake and real sweeteners). I don't do many of the low fat stuff except dairy products. I do full fat peanut butter, almond butter, etc. I will use a little artificial sweetener in a shake if it's a little too tart, and I sometimes mix in a little artificial sweetener in my plain Greek yogurt; I'm more likely to mix in agave nectar though. I've also mostly weaned myself off of splenda and started to use Stevia.

poppadop89

I go Fat free once in a while. Depends on what it is. I stick with low fat (preference). I just make sure it fits into my macros.

Sugar free: I use here and there. Stevia and Agave Nectar are natural sweeteners if one is not interested in Splenda for whatever reason. Although it has been shown to be perfectly safe. Personally, I avoid sugar as much as I can. Post workout and first thing in the morning are the only times I take in simple carbs.

fteale

If you make all your own food you really don't have to worry about these things.

Rilke

I prefer to reach for Sugar free because that's how I grew up. My dad was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 2 years old.
There are several things I can't stand with regular sugar because I never had it and it tastes weird to have it now. The most notables being pancake syrup, kool-aid, jelly/jam and jello/pudding.

But those are all fake foods anyway. Have you ever had real maple syrup? Homemade fruit preserves?

Real maple syrup = 210 calories SF syrup = 20
fake stuff can be better for some when counting calories. I use SF syrup occasionally

I respectfully disagree. For long term health, it is better to fit less of the real thing into your calorie allotment, rather than using fake stuff to be able to eat more.

KayteeBear

Most of the time fat free means it's full of sugar to make up for it. And it doesn't have to truly be FF/SF to be labelled that.

I honestly prefer just the real stuff. I don't like choosing that stuff because it's usually full of extra crap to make up for it and that's not necessarily better then.

KayteeBear

Ugh, double post.

kittzle

I prefer to reach for Sugar free because that's how I grew up. My dad was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 2 years old.
There are several things I can't stand with regular sugar because I never had it and it tastes weird to have it now. The most notables being pancake syrup, kool-aid, jelly/jam and jello/pudding.

But those are all fake foods anyway. Have you ever had real maple syrup? Homemade fruit preserves?

Real maple syrup = 210 calories SF syrup = 20
fake stuff can be better for some when counting calories. I use SF syrup occasionally

I respectfully disagree. For long term health, it is better to fit less of the real thing into your calorie allotment, rather than using fake stuff to be able to eat more.

Thanks, but I'll stick with not being diabetic for a while longer

Health_Gal

I don't try to eat fat free because our bodies need some fat to absorb certain vitamins. But I do try not to eat very much sugar. My main sweetener, especially for coffee or tea is Stevia.

Rilke

I prefer to reach for Sugar free because that's how I grew up. My dad was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 2 years old.
There are several things I can't stand with regular sugar because I never had it and it tastes weird to have it now. The most notables being pancake syrup, kool-aid, jelly/jam and jello/pudding.

But those are all fake foods anyway. Have you ever had real maple syrup? Homemade fruit preserves?

Real maple syrup = 210 calories SF syrup = 20
fake stuff can be better for some when counting calories. I use SF syrup occasionally

I respectfully disagree. For long term health, it is better to fit less of the real thing into your calorie allotment, rather than using fake stuff to be able to eat more.

Thanks, but I'll stick with not being diabetic for a while longer

I don't understand. Are you implying that eating things like maple syrup and fruit preserves will cause diabetes?

Raf702

I'm very particular about sugar free products, but that's just me. As foods/drinks with sugar, rack up a lot in calories. Fat-free not so much, as we need a certain amount of fat for our bodies to produce/regulate growth hormones, etc,. If anything Fat-free salad dressings would be my choice, and it's not easy to find, for me at least. As for sugar, it's usually sugar free drinks I pay attention to the most.

BobbyClerici

These products are not always healthy, but most people struggling with obesity are lured to such scam items.
That's the hook.

The "fat free" items are usually loaded with sugar, and the "sugar free" with fat or one of those sugar substitute chemicals - lol

Be smart! Lean meats, low fat dairy, whole grains, fruits and veggies. Forget these pre-packaged killers.

That's one reason America is so fat.

HMonsterX

Changing sugar in my tea for sweeteners is one of the best things I've done! Insta 400 cal saving!

Fat-free...bleh, irrelevant to me tbh.

Sugar free... great for things like gum, cordial/water flavourings etc.


A lot of thing comes down to personal taste preferences. I prefer the 119 cal toffee and honeycomb ice cream over something like B&Js (Shoot me! :P ), AND its less than half the cals. Double win!

KayteeBear

Somebody mentioned something about sugary drinks racking up a lot of calories or something or other just reminded me of something. Basically I try to avoid things that are high in sugar instead of going to sugar free alternatives anyway. Same with high fat foods (if it's bad fat, I don't mind eating nuts sometimes).

I think avoiding the foods that are horribly high in fat and sugar are much better than trying to find the FF/SF alternatives if you can. Granted I don't think having them are bad all the time, just not something a person should be consuming a lot of.

asyouseefit

Trying to go for the real thing as much as possible!

Real:
Butter
Sugar/fats in baked goods (no more splenda/applesauce cakes for me)
Cheese

Reduced Fat:
Dairy (cream, cream cheese, Fage 2%...-)

Fake or low fat:
Diet soda (I hate regular soda)
Sweetener in hot beverages
Fage 0%
Milk

scarletleavy

I don't eat reduced fat or sugar free anything. Full fat all the way or nothing at all. I try to eat unprocessed, fresh and organic foods as often as possible. I'd rather have a smaller quantity of something whole and natural rather than more of something artificial/processed. I also don't eat refined sugar, so I drink my coffee black and my tea plain. Occasionally I'll eat some low-fat dairy, but I'm moving away from eating a lot of dairy products.

AlwaysWanderer

Trying to go for the real thing as much as possible!

Real:
Butter
Sugar/fats in baked goods (no more splenda/applesauce cakes for me)
Cheese

Reduced Fat:
Dairy (cream, cream cheese, Fage 2%...-)

Fake or low fat:
Diet soda (I hate regular soda)
Sweetener in hot beverages
Fage 0%
Milk

Does that mean that applesauce is not real? :noway: And there was me thinking it was made of apples :laugh:
I agree with the rest though :drinker:

asyouseefit

Trying to go for the real thing as much as possible!

Real:
Butter
Sugar/fats in baked goods (no more splenda/applesauce cakes for me)
Cheese

Reduced Fat:
Dairy (cream, cream cheese, Fage 2%...-)

Fake or low fat:
Diet soda (I hate regular soda)
Sweetener in hot beverages
Fage 0%
Milk

Does that mean that applesauce is not real? :noway: And there was me thinking it was made of apples :laugh:
I agree with the rest though :drinker:

Applesauce is a figment of your imagination!!! Proof: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chemical-apple-pie-no-apple-apple-pie/

I meant applesauce in lieu of oil/butter in baked goods. I still enjoy applesauce when it's used as applesauce!