Fat Replacers
What are Fat Replacers
Fat replacers are a new type
of food-substitute. Typically made from starches, gums or cellulose, fat
replacers are used to manufacture lower-fat and lower-calorie versions
of regular high-fat foods. In other words, fat replacers allow consumers
to enjoy lower fat versions of their favorite foods, whilst meeting dietary
recommendations for calories, cholesterol and reduced fat intake.
What are Fat Replacers Made
From
Most fat replacers currently
in use are reformulations of existing food ingredients (e.g., starches,
gums, cellulose). Fat replacers generally fall into one of three categories
- carb-based, protein-based, or fat-based.
Are Fat Replacers Safe
Most fat replacers in use
today are derived from existing food ingredients whose safety has been
established over long-term use.
What Foods Contain Fat
Replacers
Foods containing fat-replacers
includes: frozen desserts, processed meats, cheeses, sour cream, salad
dressings, snack chips and baked goods. As you might expect, fat replacers
are frequently used as fat-substitutes in products with a high fat content.
How Many Calories do Fat
Replacers Have?
The calorie-content of fat
replacers varies. Carbohydrates and proteins have 4 calories per gram
while fats have 9 calories per gram. Thus carb-based fat replacers contain
four calories per gram but many provide significantly fewer calories,
often only one calorie per gram, as used (mixed with water). Cellulose
contains zero calories per gram. Fat-based fat replacers have 6-9 calories
per gram but are typically used in very small amounts. Other fat-based
fat replacers (eg. Olestra) provide few or no calories.
Do Fat Replacers Really
Help Weight Loss
The use of fat replacers
means fewer calories, therefore: (1) Weight loss becomes easier, and (2)
Calorie-controlled weight loss diets may now include (fat-replacer) versions
of popular high-fat foods, which makes these diets easier to follow over
the long term.
However, more weight loss
studies are needed to explore the full weight loss benefits of using foods
containing fat-replacers.
See also:
Calories from Fat
Calculating Percent of Fat Calories
Fat Percentage vs. Fat Content
Calories per Gram of Fat
Fat Calories
Fat Replacers
How to Reduce Fat Calories
Nutrition and Fats
Nutrition and Calories in
Oils and Fats
For calorie details of 2500
Foods, see Calories
in Foods
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