The light products are “light” in fat or sugar and should therefore make less fat or sugar than normal products. They may be labeled “light” “mild,” “light”, “0%”. The light products must indicate on the label the percentage of reduction (in fat or sugar) and their total caloric value.

What difference is there between light products and some products called “free sugars”?

Products such as sweets, candies, chewing gum “without sugar” containing almost as many calories as conventional products. Therefore they are not products of “lights” in the true sense.

The sugars in these products are replaced by polyols designed to prevent tooth decay but bring as many calories as sugar.
As polyols (hydrogenated carbohydrates) do not fall into the category of sugars in the legislation, manufacturers can affix the words “no sugar”.

What is the point of diet products?

• The sugar diet products generally have a lower glycemic index (which avoids the peaks of insulin secretion by the pancreas that causes a pool of fat and weight gain).

• Drinks “lights” may satisfy those who are attracted by the sweet sensation, without providing calories: A calorie soda cons light 150 calories for a regular soda.

• The meats and sausages are also subject to reduction by replacing some of the fat by starch broth, or offering products made from meat leaner than pork (chicken sausage, turkey ham, pates fish, rabbit …).

• The light products can be a useful aid provided they do not consume more than their non-lean

What are the disadvantages of diet products?

• Some low fat (prepared meals, mayonnaise, salad dressings, chips …) may be alleviated at the expense of good unsaturated fatty acids (beneficial effects on cardio-vascular).

• Removing the fat of a food results in elimination of fat-soluble vitamins (fat soluble) such as vitamins A, D and E.
Therefore, dairy products low fat are rich in these vitamins.

• Some low-sugar products sometimes have a fat level higher for reasons of taste or presentation (including some chocolate).
Conversely, some biscuits “lights” are modestly lean on fat, but not on sugars. And they are often larger (32 g) than the classic cookies (12 g).

• Products low fat as potato chips are still fats. Natural yogurt reduced fat calories from 40 to 60 calories with fruit (equivalent to a classic plain yogurt).

• The diet products do not provide the same products that satiety-fat and do not have the same concentration of nutrients.
Therefore, the consumption of diet products can cause a tendency to increase servings or choices of other foods, with the paradoxical risk of gaining weight or eating disorders.

• Drinks “lights” need to maintain the sugar and can also foster addiction to these drinks and the need for sugar.

What should we be suspicious?

Beware of “light” or “0%” which is reminiscent of a dietary product, low in calories and ideal for weight loss, which is not always the case.