Foods that are described as ‘low-fat’ or ‘fat-free’ aren’t automatically low in calories or calorie-free. In fact, some low-fat products may actually be higher in calories than standard products, thanks to them containing extra sugars and thickeners to boost the flavour and texture.
Some people also mistakenly believe they can eat more if they’re choosing low-fat products. But this is rarely the case. In reality, two low-fat biscuits, for example, will probably contain more calories than one standard biccie!
Always check the calorie content of low-fat foods, especially for things like cakes, biscuits, crisps, ice creams and ready meals. You might be surprised to find that there’s little difference in the calorie content when compared to the standard product.
Don’t be fooled by foods that claim to be a certain percentage fat-free either. If a product says it’s 90% fat free, this means it still contains 10% fat or 10g fat per 100g – and that’s a fair amount!