Advantages and drawbacks of light products
Zoom on these miraculous food products, category by category.
The fats
If the oils cannot be "light", butter, margarine and cream can be low in lipids: on the market we find butter and margarine with 40% or 25% fat, instead of 82% in normal products, and light cream which contains 15.8 to 5% fat, instead of 35%.
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The pros: these products are perfect for those who are overweight or suffer from cardiovascular diseases. 15% fat cream is ideal for cooking when you pay attention to the line.
The cons: These products have neither the flavor nor the texture of the classic versions, so you risk consuming more!
Ready meals
Sauces, frozen or fresh ready meals, soups, salads: there are light versions, low in fat and therefore low in calories.
The pros These products have the advantages of all ready meals (speed, convenience) while providing a limited amount of fat. In addition, a lot of progress has been made in terms of flavor.
The cons: They are often low in fiber and protein. On the contrary, you can find ready meals that are not light and, however, low in fat: it is necessary to check on the label if they contain less than 15 grams of lipids per serving, and a protein / lipid ratio greater than 1.
Dairy products
Milk, yoghurts and cheeses often exist in a low-fat version. Yogurt and other milk-based desserts can also be low in sugar.
The pros: Semi-skimmed milk and yogurt made with this type of milk offer a good compromise between the whole versions, which are too high in fat, and the light versions, which are too bland. Yogurt and desserts with sweeteners have the advantage of being tasty without adding more calories than regular yogurt. Light cheeses, on the other hand, can contain half the fat, and even a third or half the value of traditional cheese.
The cons: The cheeses are bland and not very creamy. Skimmed milk no longer contains vitamins A and E. Some desserts are low in fat but not in sugar, and vice versa: you must always read the label. Also be careful not to take advantage of the fact that these products are dietetic, to double the portions!
The sweets
Cereal bars, chocolate, biscuits, other breakfast products, chewing gum, candies…: sweets have not escaped the light fashion and we always find new ones in the supermarket.
THE pro. Often the nutritional composition of these products is studied, aimed at quickly satisfying: they are rich in fiber, fruit, vitamins and minerals ...
The cons. They are not much lighter than normal products: just about thirty calories (and not always) for chocolate, cereals and biscuits. They are traps for the line, because we tend to eat more of them. We might as well eat the classic products, but in reasonable quantities!
Beverages
The drink shelves abound with light drinks!
The pros: Light drinks with sweeteners can contain 0 Kcal per glass! They are therefore interesting when you want to refresh yourself without harming your figure.
The cons: Beware of some flavored waters which, combining sugars and sweeteners, are actually quite caloric. Always read the label. The consumption of light drinks must remain sporadic because drinking this type of drinks makes us get used to their sweet taste.
