Do light foods help to lose weight?

Nowadays, there are many foods that are marketed and labeled as “light food” on their packaging, such as: yogurt, soft drinks, chocolate, butter and a long etcetera. The condition to be able to use it is that one of its components (sugar, fat, etc.) has been reduced by at least 30%. And this is precisely the reason why many people can conclude that light foods facilitate weight loss.

However, the reality is very different. The really important concept is not that the fattening component has been reduced or replaced, but the energy value of the product as a whole. Also, even if it is, all that glitters is not gold. It is observed that in most light drinks, sugar is replaced by a sweetener that, like saccharin, has an energy value 200 times lower. But recent research seems to have shown that these sweeteners alter the mechanisms that regulate the feeling of hunger, so they can increase appetite, make you eat more and, therefore, gain weight.

But if the subject is approached in general terms, light foods are so called because they have fewer carbohydrates, less fat, or more protein and minerals, although always in relation to a single component. This is the case of dairy products that exhibit the value other than 0.0%. However, if this yogurt contains cereals it can have an energy value similar to that of a natural yogurt with its full fat content but without cereals and others with the light label contain fruits with a high sugar content.

The same happens with chocolates that in their light version are low in sugar, but still have a high fat content. It is also said that whole grain bread or cereals help you lose weight, when in fact they have the same calories as those that are refined, although they are healthier, due to their higher fiber content, and they fill you up more quickly.

Some Light Foods to Look Into

• Dark Chocolate. Interested in eating chocolate between meals? Choose a few dark squares to place on top of the milky version. A few hours later, chocolate lovers who received dark chocolate consumed 15% less pizza than those who received milk chocolate, according to a research.
• Beans. These are an excellent source of protein since they are cheap, satisfying, and adaptable. Beans are similarly slow to digest and abundant in fiber. The longer you feel satisfied, the less likely you are to eat more.
• Pure Vegetable. You can increase the amount of vegetables in your diet, still indulge in "cheat" foods, and consume fewer calories overall. People appeared to enjoy mac and cheese just as much when zucchini and cauliflower were pureed, according to Penn State researchers. However, they consumed 200–350 fewer calories. These nutritious vegetables gave the delectable dish some low-calorie heft.
• Nuts. Take a small handful of almonds, peanuts, walnuts, or pecans for a tasty on-the-go snack. According to research, those who snack on nuts naturally eat less at subsequent meals.
• Grapefruit. Indeed, grapefruit and other likeminded fruits can aid in weight loss, particularly if you are at risk for diabetes. Researchers discovered that obese individuals who had half a grapefruit before every meal over the course of 12 weeks lost an average of 3 12 pounds. Juice made from grapefruits produced similar outcomes. However, grapefruit juice hasn't been shown to have any "fat-burning" abilities; all it may have done was make people feel full. Check the labels on all of your prescriptions, or ask your pharmacist or doctor, because some medications prevent you from consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
• Apples. Choose a crisp apple rather than apple juice or applesauce. In contrast to fruit drinks and sauces, whole fruit reduces appetite. Fruit that is uncooked has more fiber, for one thing. Additionally, chewing informs your brain that you have consumed a significant meal.

Conclusion

The important thing is to read the labels on the packages of these products and compare them with those of their non-light namesakes in order to check the amount of calories provided by each of them. It can be said, therefore, that light foods do not help to lose weight by themselves and that it is a balanced diet or one established by a nutritionist that can do so, along with physical exercise. You can read more about Homemade Herbal Remedies that you can make yourself to lose weight without leaving the comfort of your home.

Though it can be said that light foods, in the context of a proper diet, can help control weight and even reduce it if a slimming diet is followed. But always taking into account its energy value, since taking two light servings can be equivalent to a normal one in terms of calories.