Janet Helms of the Seattle Times wrote a seven item quiz on nutrition and diet myths, to point out that much of what we probably think is true is actually anything but. My favorite item:
2. Low-fat always means low calories.
Myth. If you see the word "low" on the label, that's your clue to look a little further, suggested dietitian Susan Moores, of Minneapolis. Check for serving size and the number of calories on the Nutrition Facts label. Low-fat foods often contain the same amount or even more calories than regular versions.
That's particularly true for fat-free foods. If fat is taken out, something else is put back in — and that's often sugar. Some studies suggest that snacks with low-fat labels simply entice you to indulge, so you end up eating more calories than if you selected the regular version.
Previously: Can You Tell Food Fact From Food Myth?
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