Light and diet foods are widely used in diets to lose weight by having less sugar, fat, calories or salt. However, these are not always the best choices because to keep the taste pleasant for the consumer, often the industry compensates for the reduction of sugar by fat, for example, leaving the food even more caloric than its 'normal' version.
In addition, the daily consumption of diet or light products increases by 3 times the risk of developing degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or having a stroke. Therefore, it is important to read the label and compare the two versions to know which nutrient was taken from the product, and understand that light foods can not be consumed at will, as they also toxins, in addition to more calories and therefore fattening. See tips on how to read food labels to make better choices.
When to Eat Diet or Light Foods
Diet products are indicated only for those who are diabetic and light ones are indicated for those who have fat in the liver or are taking diet regimen. Therefore, those who are not in any of these cases should not consume Diet products, nor Light, in their day to day.
But even so, when it is really necessary to consume some diet or light product one should compare this version with 'normal' because often the amount of fat or sodium is higher, and this also impairs health.
The following figure gives an example of a diet food that brings more fats than normal food, which would be harmful for people who want to lose weight or who has high cholesterol, for example.
In this example you can see that for the same amount of chocolate, the diet version has more fat and sodium than the normal version, which is harmful to health and does not contribute to weight loss. See the answers to 10 other myths and truths about diets for weight loss.
Difference between Diet and Light
The difference between diet and light is in the amount of nutrient that has been withdrawn from the product. While diet foods have zero or only a very small amount of the nutrient, light foods have only a reduction of that nutrient, which should be at least 25%.
For example, 200 ml of a normal soda has about 20g of sugar, but a light soda can have up to 16g of sugar, while the diet version has 0g of sugar. However, in other foods, such a reduction can occur for both sugar and other nutrients, such as saturated fat, cholesterol, protein, and salt, and the nutrient that has been reduced often helps in the weight-loss process. See more about the differences between diet and light and know when to use each.
How to lose weight without eating Diet and Light
To lose weight without eating diet and light products one should prefer whole products, which are rich in fiber and vitamins and minerals essential for the proper functioning of the body. You need to consume at least 3 fruits per day, preferably with peel, eat salad in the main meals and avoid foods rich in sugar and fat, such as cakes, frozen ready meals and fried foods.
In addition to eating, physical activity should be done at least 3 times a week, as exercise increases metabolism, improves blood circulation and helps the bowel to function properly, accelerating weight loss and improving body health.
If you are always thinking about food, know if you have a fat mind and what to do to treat.
How to Tell If Diet or Light Food Is Really Good
Learn how to read food labels, and find out if diet or light is the best option for you in this video:
