That Health Rules

“I’ve been eating low fat products…But Why am I Gaining Weight?” – a common question I usually get from my patients…Here’s why….

If a product is marketed as low fat… it does not mean that you can eat as much as you want because it wont make you gain weight.  Remember that weight gain is due to Calorie Gain!

Here’s an example: you want a chocolate chip cookie for snacks… you think it’s safe to eat a low fat variety anytime you like especially you’re on a “DIET”

Regular Chocolate Chip has 6 gms of fat with a total of 130 calories

Low Fat Chocolate Chip has only 4 gms of fat but has a total of 110 calories

The low fat products are marketed for people with no plans of weight loss but require a reduce fat meal to decrease their risk for diseases like heart attack. 

Lower fat does not mean lower calories since to retain the flavor of the products, manufacturers often increase the amount of other ingredients like carbohydrates… thus contribute to the total calorie content.

Remember, read the food label for total calories because you can still gain weight even if it’s low in fat!

Be Smart and Eat Smart!

Heart Disease is now the leading cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world. It’s a disease of lifestyle and bad habits. We know certain foods are bad but… we seem not to care what the consequences are out of habit.

I thought it would be helpful to review some healthy food choices we can serve in our tables daily.

1. Limit meat and poultry to 6 ounces p er day. Choose the leanest cuts of beef like the round or loin cuts. The word ” Prime” among the grades of beef means the highest proportion of fat! Trimming fat from a meat before cooking prevents the fat from “migrating” into the meat. White meat like chicken breast or fish is healthier than red meat.

2.When planning meals, put fruits and vegetables at the center stage and use meat and poultry as mere complements rather than the other way around.

3. Diary foods are good sources of calcium and protein BUT also of SATURATED fat! So substitute regular milk with skim or non fat products.

4. Reduce dependence on fat and salt to enhance flavor of food- use instead lemons, vinegar, skimmed milk and plenty of herbs and spices for flavoring.

5. Do not stock your refrigerator with ready to drink juice or chocolate bars that you and your kids can easily get when you feel hungry…. Supply of apples, pears and low fat milk would be better choices. If you or the kids are hungry…it’s how you become used to having apples instead of chips that will make a difference.

Make A Difference… Start Eating Healthy!