When snack-food businessmen started selling fat-free products back in the 80s, they really achieved success. Consumers were interested in avoiding fat because it caused heart problems and made them fat. So the nonfat foods were a dieter's dream! Fat-free chips and dairy products flew off the shelves. However, as it turned out, not many people became slim and healthy from going on fat-free diets. In fact, not eating fat seemed to cause more health problems instead.
There are many naturally fat-free foods. Fruits and vegetables are on the top of the list. They're usually low in calories (卡路里) and are filled with beneficial vitamins. That's not the case with processed fat-free food.
The problem with fat-free packaged food is that fat makes food taste good. With all the fat taken away, it tastes like cardboard. So, the producers have to add into all kinds of things to keep the taste — like sugar, salt and artificial flavors (人造香精). Therefore, processed fat-free foods can actually end up containing more calories than the full-fat foods. Fruit can be high in calories and sugar, too, but you're getting other nutrients (营养物) along with it. Processed fat-free foods don't have a lot of other things.
We know now that all fat is not evil. Fat helps control your nervous system and encourages bone health. Fat-free salad can actually make you lose your ability to process all the good nutrients in it.
When you buy a fat-free product in the store, take a second to check the nutrient information on the package. If it contains sugar, salt or artificial favors — or has more calories than the full-fat version — put it back on the shelf. Most of the time, you'd be better eating the full-fat version, which tastes better and will satisfy you sooner — as long as you don't eat the whole box!
