Myths and realities of light products

• April 26, 2024

They are here to stay. There are all kinds, in English or Spanish, low in sugar or Light , low or diet . These are products that claim to provide fewer calories and good nutritional content.

The problem, experts say, is that abuse in their consumption can generate the same or greater amount of sugar and fats they promise to remove.

According to the nutriologist Felicitas Espinosa Figueroa, head of the Department of Nutrition of the General Hospital of Zone number 8, of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), the risk of buying these products is the dependence that generate or the indiscriminate consumption of them because they think they have less calories Y fats , they are abused.

The effect, then, is contrary. Although, the industrialized products of today, offer a greater variety of foods to include in the diet , Espinosa Figueroa recommends that its consumption be done under the supervision of a specialist who determines the quantities. The important thing, he notes, is to know the nutritional value of each product.

Harmful sugar substitutes

On the other hand, there is the subject of sugar substitutes. The vast majority of light foods , low or diet they contain aspartame , a sweetener non-caloric whose use is not recommended, especially if it is done in excess.

In people with diseases of the liver and some pregnant women Yes, it can produce some side effects.

Another component is the fruitful substitute saccharose (natural sugar), which provides low levels of glucose in the blood and does not stimulate insulin secretion . People diabetics they can consume it, although they should know that it provides the same calories as the saccharose .

Health risks

The light foods They should be used sparingly. In this regard, Rebeca Castro Leyva, Head of Nutrition and Dietetics at the General Hospital of Zona Troncoso of the IMSS warns that some additives of these products can cause various health problems in key organs, such as kidneys .

In this sense, the health expert recommends that it is not advisable to consume it during childhood or adolescence, as well as during pregnancy or breastfeeding. These are very important stages in which a greater contribution of carbohydrates , fats Y proteins .

Although these light foods they contain on average 30% less calories , fats , sodium Y sugars than normal ones, a low intake of these components could translate into hypertension , gastric disorders or conditions in the Renal System .

It is not enough to include dietary product in the diet To lose weight. It will always be better to follow a balanced diet according to the needs of each person and based on the different food groups.

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