You may be feeling a little less guilty while gorging on "low-calorie" snacks. But you may not be knowing that without your proper knowledge you are actually heading towards the same end - weight gain and obesity. A study conducted by researchers at the Purdue University has claimed that the synthetic fat substitutes, responsible for tagging potato chips and other snacks as "low-calorie" can boomerang causing consumers to gain weight.
The finding directly challenges our traditional belief - "We can safely consume low calorie snacks without any guilt or tension". In fact, we used to think that these snacks helped us with our weight loss without interfering with the plan.
The study has found out that these fat substitutes may get in the way of the body's ability to regulate food consumption, which in turn, may cause an inefficient utilization of calories and weight gain as an ultimate consequence.
Researchers made laboratory rats to feed on either a high-fat or a low fat diet of chow. Fifty percent of the rats in each group were provided with high-fat and high-calorie Pringles potato chips. The rest of the rats were given the same high calorie snack on some days while the low calorie Pringles Light version on some other days.
The "Light" version is prepared with a synthetic fat substitute called Olestra. This zero-calorie fat substitute remains undigested throughout its passage inside the body. For rats, which belonged to the high-fat diet group, the group that consumed both the versions of the chips were found to gain more weight and fatty tissue than those rats which were only allowed to feed on the high-calorie version of Pringles.
Surprisingly, the rats did not experience any weight loss even after the chips were removed from their diet. Susan E. Swithers, PhD, the lead researcher and a Purdue psychology professor, said, "Based on this data, a diet that is low in fat and calories might be a better strategy for weight loss than using fat substitutes."
The research was found to be associated with some positive findings as well. The rats which were on a low fat diet did not gain much weight even after consuming both the types of potato chips. But these same rats were found to gain weight and body fat when they were shifted to the high-fat diet and were made to eat both the types of snacks.
The use of artificial sweeteners and fat substitutes has experienced a dramatic rise over these days. Dieters have been trying to not to compromise on their taste sense and that is why, they have been opting for these low-calorie snacks. But it's not about magic, but about sticking to your commitments and an "honest" diet, which is naturally low in fat.
