Low-fat foods ‘aren’t always good for dieters’

People who are trying to lose weight quickly should not just presume that foods with a low fat content are healthy.

This is according to Suzanne Hobbs, a clinical associate professor of nutrition and health policy at the University of North Carolina.

She said that, decades ago, nutritionists recommended that people replaced fat in their diets with healthier foods.

However, many food companies then replaced fat in their products with high amounts of sugar and refined flour.

"The companies were really playing up the fact they were low in fat, when in fact that didn't make them a healthy choice at all," Ms Hobbs said.

She went on to say that slimmers should try hard to reduce their consumption of sweets, refined carbohydrates, saturated and trans fats and increase their intake of fruits, vegetables and wholegrains.

Last month, Dr Carina Norris, a nutrition consultant, suggested that some people trying to lose weight fast achieve this by eating three square meals, featuring plenty of fruit and vegetables, some low-fat protein and wholegrain carbohydrates.

Do you check how much fat is in the products you buy?