Dear Lynn:

I eat a lot of fat-free foods. Is this bad for you? Thanks,

Amanda

Dear Amanda:

Fat-free foods aren't "bad" for you; in fact, according to the American Dietetic Association, there are no bad OR good foods. Any food can be enjoyed as long as it is eaten in moderation.

There are a variety of fat substitutes approved for use in the American diet. The Healthy People 2000 initiative (formed to develop goals to improve the health of Americans by 2000) calls for the creation of more reduced-fat and fat-free foods to lower the fat in our diet.

The key is to remember that just because a food is low in fat doesn't mean it contains the vitamins and minerals our bodies need for good health and maximum energy levels. For example, fat-free ice cream isn't superior nutritionally to regular ice cream; it just has less fat and therefore fewer calories. For a milk-based dessert that tastes good AND is good for you, choose flavored yogurt (which contains calcium and vitamin D) instead of ice cream.

A wise consumer chooses foods that are packed with nutritional value. If they are also low-fat, consider it a bonus.

Sincerely,

Lynn Grieger, R.D., C.D., C.D.E.

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