When They Take the Fat Out, They Put Sugar In

"Low-fat" often means "high-sugar" in disguise.

The low-fat aisle looks like the responsible choice. A lot of it is a swap you didn't agree to.

Fat carries flavor

When companies strip fat out of yogurt, dressing, or peanut butter, the product tastes flat and thin. To fix that, they usually add sugar, salt, and thickeners. "Low-fat" and "fat-free" versions are often higher in sugar than the original.

The 90s hangover

The low-fat craze trained us to fear fat and ignore sugar — even though the added sugar is frequently the bigger problem. Full-fat foods also keep you fuller, so you may eat less overall.

The move

Compare the low-fat version's sugar line to the regular one. Often the full-fat original with a shorter ingredient list is the better pick — you just eat a bit less of it.

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