jump past navigation
Links back to DHHS and NIH
 NHLBI-OEI Links


Tipsheet
Fat Matters, But Calories Count

Just because a product is fat free, doesn't mean it is calorie free. In fact, fat free or reduced fat products can have as many, if not more, calories per serving than regular products. So, yes, you do need to watch your fat intake. But remember that calories count too.

The new National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Obesity Guidelines encourage you to read the nutrition labels and compare the calories in products like these:

Scale
1 Fig Cookie 1/2 Cup Vanilla Frozen Yogurt 2 Tbsp Peanut Butter

Fat free

51 Calories
Regular 56 Calories

Nonfat

100 Calories
Regular 104 Calories

Reduced fat

187 Calories
Regular 191Calories


Source: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in cooperation with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health.

Back


Skip Navigation
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services logo

Key Recommendations · Assessing Risk · Controlling Weight · BMI Tables
Shopping: What to Look For · Recipes · Sample Menus · Food Exchange List
Selecting a Program · Guide to Physical Activity · Guide to Behavior Change · Tip Sheets
Daily Food and Activity Diary · Publications

Professional Education Materials · Patient & Public Education Materials
Healthy Weight Home · BMI Calculator · Menu Planner · Portion Distortion · WeCan!

National Institutes of Health logo
  Link to NHLBI Home Link to Healthy Weight Home Link to BMI Calculator Link to Menu Planner Home Link to Portion Distortion Home Link to WeCan! Home Link to NHLBI Home Link to OEI Home Link to DHHS Home Link to NIH Home