The impact of low-fat foods on energy and nutrient intakes

Despite the trend towards the marketing of low-fat foods, we are only beginning to understand how these products affect food intake and selection, hunger, diet composition and body weight. Recent studies indicate that reducing the proportion of energy from fat will have little effect on the satiety value of foods. Low-fat foods may help to reduce energy intake and body weight if they are part of a calorie-controlled diet in which all high-fat foods are avoided. The most reliable health benefit associated with the consumption of low-fat foods will be a reduction in the daily percentage of calories that come from fat.