Low fat foods

[Shellywell]

I've just started trying to lose weight and have bought low fat foods such as mayo, cheese, margarine, soups, yoghurts etc but my cousin said they are reduced in fat but higher on other fats and sugar. I don't really understand this so wanted to ask am I better to eat the low fat foods or stick to normal margarine, yoghurts and cheeses. My cholesterol is high and my doctor has said to stick to a very low fat diet. Please help as I'm confused. Thankyou in advance 😀😀

[kiwikyd-nz]

Yes your cousin is right that some low fat products make up for it with higher sugar. As a general rule 4 grams of sugar is equal to 1 teaspoon. So if you look on the nutrition label it will tell you what size a single serving is, then further down it will tell you how many grams of sugar are in each serving.

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome to the forum Shellywell

Please note none of us on here are medically trained

I'd like to invite you to join our Newbie Club, which we hope will be a good place for you to connect with members, who are also just starting out. If you just post a few words to introduce yourself and respond to others there, you'll soon break the ice. Here's the link

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

I've also given you a week 1 badge.

Wishing you all the best

[pcrw Maintainer Healthy BMI]

It is confusing. I have been following a low carb full fat diet. I am having a blood test tomorrow so it will be interesting to see whether my cholesterol has improved with weight loss as well as my blood sugar levels.

Losing weight will reduce blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.

I agree with your cousin about low fat foods which are processed. I use a lot of olive oil and rarely butter . I give margarine and anything with artificial sweeteners a wide berth. They improve the taste if low fat products by adding sugar and starch.

The latest thinking is that sugar is the bad boy not fat.

Dr Michael Moseley's diet books make very interesting and informative reading with regard to the affect of various foods on the body. For instance I had not realised potatoes and bread turned quickly and easily into sugar when you ate them

Best wishes