UFO's -- Unidentified
Fat-Food Objects
by Sky at Dawn
UFO's - they're everywhere! These alien-oriented
'unidentified fat-food objects' have been roaming
the planet free, in disguise for years. It's
maddening, especially when you're on a diet.
Just who, or rather what, foods can you trust
these days? And just how can you recognize some
of the more notorious fat-food objects? Here's a good rule. If you see one of the
following words used in the manufacturer's description
of the 
product, then stop, look,
listen and read before consumption.
No
Cholesterol
Light
Lite
Lowfat
Fat
Free
Salad
One of the best examples that will
unveil the innocence of a no cholesterol product is margarine
or 'spread'. Generally, a tablespoon contains 60 calories
on up, beginning with 7 grams of fat. The deception the
manufacturer creates is that you can have your fill of
the product without the worry of cholesterol. Unfortunately, many people who are
dieting are doing such in an effort to get their cholesterol
in check. The last thing someone with high cholesterol
needs is more 'spread'. One caveat. Don't totally eliminate
fat from your diet. First of all, the consequences are
frightening. A few years ago I coached a young woman who
was losing clumps of hair. To make a long story short,
it stemmed from her almost complete elimination of fat
from her diet. Light or lite are two other words
linked with UFO's of dieting. These products may be packed
with fat and calories. An example is potato chips. Check
out those labels the next time you visit your grocery
store and compare your favorite chip to its light counterpart
and discover just how many calories and fat grams you
are saving. Is it worth the slash? Will it help you stay
within your daily calorie allotment? How does the light
product taste in comparison with the full blown deal? Everyone has different taste preferences,
but the WOW varieties are certainly worth checking into
- if you haven't already. With 75 calories per serving,
even if you slip into 'maniac-mode' and devour a large
5-serving bag, you won't do 'undoable' damage at 375 calories. Lowfat and fat-free can also be difficult
UFO's. The trouble with these food makeovers is they tend
to be sneaky, lending the purchaser the impression that
just because they are low in fat, they are also low in
calories. On average, people tend to consume more of a
product if it's low in calories or fat. Again, do a little
comparing when you shop and pay close attention to the
serving size. Those thin slices of deli-meat can add up
in calories. Salads, oh those sneaky little salads!
Those little tasty greens and tomatoes are sometimes coated
with liquid fat. One of the best examples of a salad in
disguise is Taco Bell's Taco Salad, weighing in at 850
calories. But don't count out The Bell when you're dieting;
they also provide some very good health-wise menu choices
worth checking into. Just don't even utter the words Taco
Salad. Some salad dressings are also guaranteed
to puncture a hole in your healthy diet. Please read those
labels at the supermarket and when you get home, get out
your tablespoon and measure the recommended serving size.
Next, put it in a tiny container and dip your salad into
it. Why? You may use less than you intended. Eat smart, and count those calories
and fat grams to ensure a healthy diet. The bottom line
is that only YOU can accomplish weight loss. Today's market
has provided many tools to assist us in reaching our health
goals, such as the lowfat, low calorie foods. Keep in
mind that you need to supplement your diet with vitamins,
which play a very important role in balancing your weight. Be sure and do a bit of personal
investigating into these lighter, leaner products. Most
can add zip to your diet for far less calories and fat.
Just beware of those unidentified fat-food objects....
Please visit Diet
Bites for more close encounters!
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