Nothing in life is free, even those fat-free foods. For many dieters, the fat-free trap is a real danger. People falsely assume that the "free" implies it's a free for all, a license to eat all you want. But that's hardly the case. {relatedarticles}Although a product may be low in fat, it is also supplemented with excess sugar and calories to maintain that satisfying taste. That means you're actually getting almost the same amount of calories portion for portions. While the total grams of fat are reduced, the calorie count is not. Take these foods as examples. Two tablespoons of regular peanut butter is 191 calories, while two tablespoons of reduced-fat peanut butter are 187 calories.
Three regular chocolate chip cookies are 142 calories, while the reduced fat cookies come in a close second with 118 calories. A 1/2 cup serving of granola cereal has 257 calories, compared to the low-fat version which has 213 calories for a 1/2 cup serving. Some studies point to the fact that replacing fats with carbohydrates actually contributes to weight gain. {relatedarticles}While these foods subtract the fat, they add a whole "nother batch of problems. Since fat adds flavor to food, sugar, flour and starch thickeners are all added to improve the flavor and texture, which means more calories. Therefore, you're doing your diet more harm than good by bingeing on those fat-free cakes, candies and cookies. And the problems don't stop there. Some fat substitutes such as olestra actually have side effects including gas, bloody stools and cramps. If you want a true fat-free or low-fat snack, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables.