Less Fat = More Pounds
Three regular chocolate chip cookies are 142 calories, while the reduced fat cookies come in a close second with 118 calories. A 1/2 cup serving of granola cereal has 257 calories, compared to the low-fat version which has 213 calories for a 1/2 cup serving. Some studies point to the fact that replacing fats with carbohydrates actually contributes to weight gain. {relatedarticles}While these foods subtract the fat, they add a whole "nother batch of problems. Since fat adds flavor to food, sugar, flour and starch thickeners are all added to improve the flavor and texture, which means more calories. Therefore, you're doing your diet more harm than good by bingeing on those fat-free cakes, candies and cookies. And the problems don't stop there. Some fat substitutes such as olestra actually have side effects including gas, bloody stools and cramps. If you want a true fat-free or low-fat snack, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables.