Does Fat Free Really Mean Free Of Fat?

Do you know what the words really mean on food labels?

In this article, you'll discover everything you need to know about how to interpret food labels and make the right food choices.

So what does "fat free" really mean?

To be labeled "Fat Free", the food must contain less than ½ gram of fat per serving.

To be labeled "Low Fat", the food must contain 3 grams or less of fat per serving.

To be labeled "Reduced Fat", the food must be at least 25 percent lower in fat than a comparable food.

To be labeled "Light", the food must contain 1/3 fewer calories, OR ½ the fat OR 2/3 the sodium of a comparable food (but not necessarily all three!).

Some foods (especially meat and dairy products) appear to have less fat than they really do. For example, if a milk or cheese label reads 2% milk or 2% cheese, this means that 2 percent of the product volume (NOT the calories) comes from milk fat.

You can use a little math to discover how much fat these products actually contain.

First, find the total calories per serving and the fat calories per serving. For example if the total calories per serving are 80 and the fat calories per serving are 50, divide the fat calories per serving by the total calories per serving.

Then, multiply that number by 100 and you'll have the total percent of fat calories in the food. In this example, 50 fat calories divided by 80 total calories equals .625 times 100 equals 62½%. In this example, nearly 63 percent of the total calories of this food are from fat!

Also, using the math above, you can figure out how much fat that 2 percent milk, 2 percent cheese, 2 percent cottage cheese and lean ground beef contain. You'll probably discover these foods are mush "fatter" than you realized!

Trans fats should be avoided as much as possible as they can increase your risk of heart disease. Trans fats are also known as hydrogenated fats and are added to many processed foods including most baked foods (crackers, cookies, breads, etc.).

If the food contains trans fats, the ingredient label will usually read: contains hydrogenated oil OR partially hydrogenated oil OR vegetable shortening OR margarine. Avoid these foods like the plague!

By knowing how to read food labels and understanding the word "fat", you can purchase diet foods more wisely and lose weight successfully.

Jerry Byler is the Webmaster of three diet and weight loss blogs. To discover dieting information on how you can lose weight quickly and easily, please visit the following: http://www.WeightLossProduct.blogspot.com http://www.diet-top-secrets.blogspot.com http://www.BestDietPlans.blogspot.com

---

Snacking, Fear, Greed and the Gastric Bypass Tool

Do you remember nodding your head with understanding during your... Read More

Six Steps to Weight Loss Success

What does it take to lose weight?When it comes to... Read More

Calorie Burn? Know The Optimum Walking Speed For Greatest Results

Calorie burn can be really enhanced if you follow a... Read More

Know How Many Calories To Cut For Permanent Weight Loss

It is not recommended to lose more than 1 pound... Read More

Atkins Bankruptcy: Your New Decisions To A Healthy Life!

Atkins Nutritionals filed for bankruptcy at the beginning of August... Read More

Movie Star Weight Loss Secrets ? Kathy Smiths Former Personal Trainer Speaks Out!

In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More

Do You Need To Cut Down 100 Calories A Day? But Dont Know What 100 Calories Is?

The difference between weight loss, and steady or weight gain,... Read More

When Losing Weight Seems Hopeless

Sometimes it's good to just let the feelings flow. Take... Read More

How to Lose Belly Fat: Latest Secrets from the Research Labs, Part 1

In this series of articles, you will learn exactly how... Read More

Is Obesity a Disease? And What Should Be Done About It?

You have noticed your obese friend suddenly slimmer. You want... Read More

An Incredible New Weight Loss Product ? Your Brain!

I would like to introduce you to an incredible new... Read More

Mamma Said: Keep Your Fingers Out Of Your Mouth

Watching television exercises our eyes but nothing else. Unfortunately, it... Read More

Can Water Really Help You Lose Weight?

I believe that water not only helps with weight loss,... Read More

Lose Weight & Achieve A Healthy Metabolism By Balancing And Adjusting Your Meals

How many meals do you eat in one day?Close study... Read More

High Protein Diets Can Have a ?Bad? Impact on Your Career

With all the excitement regarding high protein diets, one area... Read More

Weight Loss Doesnt Work

Your brain has this really interesting system that is kind... Read More

Slimmer Legs... Stress-Free

Well, with the success of my article, "Wrinkle Remover That... Read More

Lose Weight - Think You Cant?

You step on the scale and groan at the number... Read More

The Most Under-Rated Aspect of Weightloss

If I were asked, "what is the most difficult thing... Read More

How To Avoid Common Diet Scams

As our country gains weight at an alarming rate, we... Read More

Setting Morning Intentions For Success

Ever heard of the expression, "Getting up on the wrong... Read More

Fat Is A Self-Inflicted Disease

I just came back from three days in Las Vegas.... Read More

Weight Control For Webmasters

Are you gaining weight sitting in front of the computer?... Read More

Exercise and Weight Loss for Life - The Magic Formula Doctors DONT Want You to Know!

In twenty years of consistant exercising, maintaining a low percentage... Read More

The Pros and Cons of Fad Dieting

It is very tempting to try that fad diet that... Read More

The Mediterranean Diet - Oh So Tasty

Yes, there is more to the Mediterranean than sun, beach... Read More

Fast Weight Loss and Exercise - Pay Now or Pay Them Later!

Why have I allowed myself to get into this shape?... Read More

Is Natural Weight Loss Really Possible?

Natural Weight Loss Is PermanentOnly natural weight loss can be... Read More

Give up the Diet

If you're thinking of going on a diet to lose... Read More

Conventional Dieting Wisdom That Works for WLS Patients

In many cases conventional dieting wisdom simply doesn't work for... Read More

Dieting Will Never Be the Same! A Review of How to Make Your Diet Work

According to the American Obesity Association, an astounding 64.5 percent... Read More

Why is it so EASY to GAIN WEIGHT during the HOLIDAYS?

I'm sure you have pondered this question, for it is... Read More

Five Really Tough Dieting Tips

If you are losing, trying to lose, or think you... Read More