This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

Low-Fat And Fat-Free Foods Contain As Many Calories As Full Fat Versions

It's time to shift your focus from fat.

Just because it's fat free, doesn't mean it's low calorie.

According to a new study by the University of Toronto, people incorrectly assume they are consuming less calories when they eat low-fat or fat-free versions of their favourite foods.

The study, which looked at the nutritional data of nearly 10,500 products, showed that in the rare case when a low-fat product contained fewer calories than the full fat variety, the difference could be as small as 17 calories, the National Post reports.

The popular belief that low fat and fat free foods are healthier than full fat items is a problem. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, low fat diets have a tendency to fail when it comes to weight control.

"For good health, the type of fat is more important than the amount; eat plenty of unsaturated fats, limit saturated fat, and avoid trans fat," Doctor Walter Willett says.

Also on HuffPost

Close
This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.