1. You think that fat- and sugar-free products are healthy
We are all better off without fat and sugar. Did you know that consuming large amounts of sugar can actually result in chronic illness such as type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke? Also, eating way too much fat translates to obesity, high blood cholesterol levels, fatty liver disease, inflammation and even cancer. If you want to live a healthier life, you should definitely try to cut back on both fat and sugar.
However, there’s a lot of obstacles out there when it comes to fat- and sugar-free products selection. Why? Not all of them are created equal. For instance, some reduced-fat products contain way too much sodium or sugar, and lower sugar often means more fat or salt, says Libby Mills, RDN, culinary nutritionist for Villanova University’s MacDonald Center for Obesity Prevention and Education, professor of nutrition at Neumann University, and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
“Whatever they’re taking out, they typically add something else to add flavor,” she says. Plus, you might actually feel more satisfied with a full-fat product. For example, if just a small handful of regular potato chips keeps your craving at bay, but you could indulge a family-sized bag of baked chips easily, you should stick with the fattier version. For a healthier snack, check out these potato chips.
