A question about LF, FF & Reg. products...

[canucksrus]

My apologies if this has been asked/answered 1000x, but I haven't been able to find the answer to this particular question (can't find it in the book either).

Why does the diet say to use the low fat or fat free versions of a product when the low fat/fat free product seems to contain more sugars? I can't remember what I looked at the other day (I'm used to doing Atkins & am trying to learn the SB way), it might have been Ricotta cheese, and the regular & light versions both contained the same # of carbs, but the regular had 2g's sugar, the light 3g's. Wouldn't the regular be better (that's what I ended up buying LOL)? If this was a low fat diet it would make sense, but the books states it neither low fat, nor low carb. So, if it's not about the sugar in these instances, is it then due strictly to the fats used in them?

Thanks so much for your help with this. I'm looking forward to moving to the Beach :), but really need to fully understand this before I can start packing :D.

[Judynyc]

My apologies if this has been asked/answered 1000x, but I haven't been able to find the answer to this particular question (can't find it in the book either).

Why does the diet say to use the low fat or fat free versions of a product when the low fat/fat free product seems to contain more sugars? I can't remember what I looked at the other day (I'm used to doing Atkins & am trying to learn the SB way), it might have been Ricotta cheese, and the regular & light versions both contained the same # of carbs, but the regular had 2g's sugar, the light 3g's. Wouldn't the regular be better (that's what I ended up buying LOL)? If this was a low fat diet it would make sense, but the books states it neither low fat, nor low carb. So, if it's not about the sugar in these instances, is it then due strictly to the fats used in them?

Thanks so much for your help with this. I'm looking forward to moving to the Beach :), but really need to fully understand this before I can start packing :D.

Because we don't count carbs on SBD, we look for good carbs and good fats. My understanding of this is that because we are not as concerned with actual carb counts and more concerned with good fats, that is why we use reduced or fat free items as in dairy. We get good fats from avocados, olives, olive oil, Smart Balance, nuts, etc. You can see the fats list through the food list link in my signature.

I'd like to suggest to you that this plan has a different road map than atkins. If you are confused based on what you did on atkins, please try to let go of what you know from atkins and do accept this as a new way of eating. :idea:

Hope this helps!! :agree: :D

[canucksrus]

Hi Judy - thanks so much!! Your answer did help clear it up for me. I will start paying more attention to (& learning more about) fats in products and less attention to the sugars.

I actually have the link to your list posted in my journal :). I've never seen Smart Balance (or the I Can't Believe) so I purchased Canola Harvest (transfat free & made with flaxseed oil).

Congratulations on your success btw. You have done amazing!! :dazzle:

Thanks again - I look forward to starting this new WOE soon (need to read/review certain areas in the book one more time LOL).

[miezimau]

oh and I would like to add, that not all products we are eating are supposed to be Low Fat or fat free. I say it is mostly dairy. Like for instance any product that is usually made with sugar (manmade and not natural sugar) we avoid. So if there is a Low fat product that contains sugar we don't eat it unless it is natural sugars. Or at least this is how I go about it.

[canucksrus]

Thanks Miezimau - that helps clear up more of the confusion for me!!