There is so much conflicting information out there at the moment about ‘low fat’, ‘high fat’ and the like.  It can all be a bit baffling.  Over the last 18 months or so i have been watching the TV and reading  articles on this subject.  What i will say is that I have not drank any ‘diet’ drinks, or low fat spreads for this amount of time after listening to a renowned doctor and scientist explain the issues,  Once again its all about moderation and portion size.  If you eat healthy for the majority of the time and allow your treats then you should be fine.  However be aware of some of the labels on the shop shelves.

If you spot a food that says ‘low in fat’ be aware,  that to reduce the fat the food has most probably been processed by a method called hydrogenation. Hydrogenated fats increase levels of dangerous ‘trans fats’ which are bad for the heart and cholesterol levels. Also some manufacturers have increased the amount of refined sugar they are adding to ‘low fat’ products to improve the taste and texture and encourage you to buy them. Eating too many of these products can lead to blood sugar swings and cravings which can lead to binge eating and making it more difficult to reduce your overall calorie intake.

We all need fats in our diet of course, but the right fats. Certain fats like those in nuts, avocados, seeds and oily fish provide essential fatty acids and these are important for maintaining a healthy body. If you follow an ‘entirely’ low fat diet you are more likely to to be lacking vitamins A D, E and K which are so important for our general health..  Try to include more fish, nuts, seeds and olive oil, coconut oil and avocados in your diet, the ‘good fats’. When you are next doing your weekly shop take a closer look at the labels, it could be the best decision you make for your health. Have a look at the details below for an idea on what is considered too much fat content

Total fat –           more than 20g per 100g
Saturated fat –    more than 5g per 100g
Sugar –              more than 15g per 100g

I hope that helps a little
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