Fat-Free Food Rant

I think this is a really important point to consider when subbing out food choices. I think some low-fat stuff is great (like cheese made with 2%, some Earth Balance products, etc) but it's so important to check the rest of the stats...just because it's low-cal and low-fat does not mean the sugars, carbs, and sodium aren't off the charts. And a lot of low-call and low-fat stuff is made with a boatload of chemicals that do not under any circumstances need to be in your body!

Honestly, I think a good remedy for this is just finding another substitution all together. For example: using greek or soy yogurt instead of sour cream, spreading a little hummus on a sandwich instead of mayo, sauteeing onions in water instead of glugs of olive oil... or, making your own! There's a lot to be said for homemade mayo and hummus, and that way you know exactly what goes in it, but people definitely don't always have the time.

Or, eat the food you love---but sparingly. Maybe instead of eating a full fledged peanut butter sandwich, you spread a tbsp of peanut butter on an apple or some celery. Use a pat of real butter in some pasta instead of over-processed margarine. Anything is better than eating food made of a bunch of stuff you can't pronounce, in my opinion...

I know we are all on here to get healthy and want to make smart healthy food choices.

Substituting fat-free or reduce-fat products is NOT a healthy food choice!!! Sure it cuts some fat out but then loads on the sodium and sugar to make up for the flavor.
Secondly fat isn't bad for you!!! Especially fats from things like nuts and avocados. So getting reduced fat peanut butter is not a smart choice.

sorry, mini rant over. I'm just tired of seeing recipes that are "healthier" because of using fat-free products.

Agreed! This always frustrates me!

I think its just a hangover from the last three decades of being told EAT FAT FREE from every direction.
People like me (who were adults in the 80's and 90's) heard this ALL the time and it's only recently that I've actually read "fat doesn't make you fat".
It's one reason why I'm wary of the whole "low carb", "carbs are evil" stance. I don't think that demonising a whole nutrient group serves a useful purpose. Saying "eat food with nutrients instead of candy" might be a more useful message.

I do agree with your point though, and I have real reservations bout food like the "miracle noodles" and that icecream where you can eat a whole pint for -3 calories. I take the point that it is nice to have lower calorie options, especially when you are first starting to make changes, but having food that is so low in calories that it encourages you to eat an unrealistically large portion seems like a very bad idea to me.

I love fat free sour cream; 1/3 cals and 20mg sodium!

Fat free cheese is quite gross tasting though xD
And I looked at low fat PB one time... cals were close to the same! xD

I love Miracle Noodles & they come in handy when I've had a carb heavy day with running.
1 pouch plus some sweet n sour sauce, 2TBS crushed fresh pineapple, & diced chicken
Makes for a nice dinner!!

Hmmmm. I'd be eating real noodles on a running day.
Sounds yummy though.

Ah, that makes more sense now
My long run brekky is a toasted english muffin with pb and banana. I can do oatmeal after I run, but it seems too mooshy to have before, I don't quite know why......

I use fat-free foods all the time. U mad OP?

I'll add this:

Fat-free foods are not always "fat free"

Fat-Free has been defined as having 0.5 grams of fat per serving or less.

That means that if you have a box of "fat-free" cookies, let's say there are 20 cookies in the box, and the serving size is 1 cookie, there could be as much as 10 grams of fat in that box of cookies.

Really have to go through and read the ingredients. If something is labeled "fat free", but one of the listed ingredients is "oil" (of any kind) you can rest assured there is some fat in there.

Happy Friday Everyone!

It's a process for everybody. If someone can begin cutting back on their calories by subbing in lower calorie options, they will eventually begin using less and less of items and gradually shifting their food choices for better things. Yes, higher sodium and sugar might be a side-effect for a while, but not forever. There are so many important factors in nutrition that it's often overwhelming for people to consider making sure they aren't getting too many calories, too much sodium, too many carbs, not enough protein or fiber....it's a lot to take on all at once. One step at a time.

Good answer. I also value low fat dairy products. There you get what you are expecting.