That fat-free label on your salad dressing or morning yogurt might be doing the opposite of what you think. Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, says fat-free doesn’t mean problem-free, because when manufacturers remove fat they typically replace it with sugar, sweeteners or starches to keep the taste and texture we expect. The result can be a product that’s worse for your blood sugar and your heart than the original.
Her advice is straightforward: the front of the package is advertising, and the back tells the truth. Flip it over and read the ingredient list, keeping sugar fifth or lower. Aging experts Amy O’Rourke and Katherine Ambrose add a commonsense test that works for any generation: eat foods your great-grandparents would recognize. And don’t fear all fats. Olive oil, nuts and avocados are healthy choices, butter and cream are fine under 10% of daily calories, and trans fats are the ones to leave on the shelf.
Here on the Suncoast, we have fresh fish, citrus and local produce close at hand, which makes the real-food approach a lot easier than it sounds. The next time you shop, try turning three packages over before they go in the cart.
What’s one fat-free product you’ve bought for years that you’re rethinking now? Let us know on our Facebook page.
