I have read many books stating that an easy way to lose weight is to simply cut

Philippines
November 16, 2006 8:14am CST
I have read many books stating that an easy way to lose weight is to simply cut down on fat intake. The rationale behind this thinking is that fat has far more calories per gram than other groups of food; hence, cutting down on fat will automatically mean a lower calorie consumption. However, I have been doing some label comparisons lately. A serving of skim milk has 120 calories and 0.3g of fat. And reduced fat milk has 4 g of fat (more fat, as we would expect) BUT it has 119 calories! Less colories, despite much more fat. I have noticed similar comparisons with museli bars, and some other foods. How can this be, if fat is supposed to have more calories?? And, if the two milks have similar calories, does that mean they are equal to the weight-conscious consumer? Is the lower fat food "better", even though the actual energy being consumed is identical? Thanks for any advice!
1 person likes this
3 responses
@ariose1 (19)
• United States
16 Nov 06
Actually I believe (from my nutrition course) the calories in fat and carbohydrate are the same. Consuming less fat doesn't mean automatically consuming less calories. However, I think protein has fewer calories. As to how calories are being used, carbohydrate is immediately converted to energy that you can use, but, fat cannot. In another word, if you consume the same amount of fat and carbohydrate, your body will use carbo before it will get to fat. Whatever fat you don't use up will convert into fat deposit. That is why Atkins promote not eating carbo. If there isn't enough carbo energy, the body will turn to fat. Anyway, fat really doesn't do much good for you, so you should consume as little as possible.
@DanKannel (1063)
• Brazil
16 Nov 06
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@ashuaaaaa (783)
• Germany
16 Nov 06
cut on carbohydrates. if u eat less carbohydrates then fat will be mobilised for supplying energy.and u loose weight.