As a general rule, if you are on a diet or looking to take care of yourself a little, look for foods with a ‘light’ label in the supermarket. However, do you really know what light foods are? Does taking light products really work? How many calories and how many nutrients do they have?
Do light products work?
- We can define light products as those that have 30% fewer calories than normal products. You have to keep in mind that because they have fewer calories, it does not mean that they are slimming, it depends rather on the food in question and the amount you take of it.
- In this article we always advise you that if you are going to follow any type of diet, consult a specialist or a nutritionist beforehand. Going to the supermarket and buying only light products is not the best method, even less if you take these data into account. Take note because it will surprise you (and a lot).
Less calories, but lots of sugar
The light products that you buy in the supermarket or in your trusted store may have 30% fewer calories than normal ones. But if you read the label carefully, you will see that they have a high content of sugar, starch, salt and preservatives that do not favor your body at all. Diet drinks, for example, have artificial sweeteners and carbohydrates that are not healthy for you, and yet you continue to deceive yourself because that apparently ‘miraculous’ word appears on the label: diet.
Don’t take them in excess
Some people believe that since they are light foods, you can take them whenever you want and in the amount you want, but nothing is further from the truth. Food should always be taken in the right proportion. Remember: eat 5 light meals a day, eat a healthy and balanced diet, read product labels and if you prepare food at home, all the better. Some rules that we will never tire of repeating to you over and over again.
Triglycerides increased
There are studies that reveal that it is better to follow a diet including a moderate amount of fat than to always consume low-fat products. Following this type of diet has multiple disadvantages in the medium-long term, since it can increase triglycerides and decrease the so-called good cholesterol.
Unsaturated fats
- Rather than looking at whether they are low-fat or light products, the best thing to do is to check that the label says ‘unsaturated fats’. In this way you will be able to reduce bad cholesterol and at the same time increase good cholesterol in your body. So don’t wait any longer, and every time you go to the supermarket, take a good look at everything you’ve put in the shopping cart.
- In summary, we will say that it is better to eat fresh and natural foods as much as possible than light products that you can find in practically any store. Remember that it is not proven that light products lose weight, what really works is to ask the experts for advice, do moderate exercise to burn extra calories and eat healthy daily. It’s proven!