UFO's - they're everywhere! These alien-oriented 'unidentified fat-food objects' have been roaming the planet free, in disguise for years. It's maddening, especially when you're on a diet. Just who, or rather what, foods can you trust these days? And just how can you recognize some of the more notorious fat-food objects? Here's a good rule. If you see one of the following words used in the manufacturer's description of the product, then stop, look, listen and read before consumption. No Cholesterol Light Lite Low fat Fat Free Salad One of the best examples that will unveil the innocence of a no cholesterol product is margarine or 'spread'. Generally, a tablespoon contains 60 calories on up, beginning with 7 grams of fat. The deception the manufacturer creates is that you can have your fill of the product without the worry of cholesterol. Unfortunately, many people who are dieting are doing such in an effort to get their cholesterol in check. The last thing someone with high cholesterol needs is more 'spread'. One caveat. Don't totally eliminate fat from your diet. First of all, the consequences are frightening. A few years ago I coached a young woman who was losing clumps of hair. To make a long story short, it stemmed from her almost complete elimination of fat from her diet. Light or lite are two other words linked with UFO's of dieting. These products may be packed with fat and calories. An example is potato chips. Check out those labels the next time you visit your grocery store and compare your favorite chip to its light counterpart and discover just how many calories and fat grams you are saving. Is it worth the slash? Will it help you stay within your daily calorie allotment? How does the light product taste in comparison with the full blown deal? Everyone has different taste preferences, but the WOW varieties are certainly worth checking into - if you haven't already. With 75 calories per serving, even if you slip into 'maniac-mode' and devour a large 5-serving bag, you won't do 'undoable' damage at 375 calories. Low fat and fat-free can also be difficult UFO's. The trouble with these food makeovers is they tend to be sneaky, lending the purchaser the impression that just because they are low in fat, they are also low in calories. On average, people tend to consume more of a product if it's low in calories or fat. Again, do a little comparing when you shop and pay close attention to the serving size. Those thin slices of deli-meat can add up in calories. Salads, oh those sneaky little salads! Those little tasty greens and tomatoes are sometimes coated with liquid fat. One of the best examples of a salad in disguise is Taco Bell's Taco Salad, weighing in at 850 calories. But don't count out The Bell when you're dieting; they also provide some very good health-wise menu choices worth checking into. Just don't even utter the words Taco Salad. Some salad dressings are also guaranteed to puncture a hole in your healthy diet. Please read those labels at the supermarket and when you get home, get out your tablespoon and measure the recommended serving size. Next, put it in a tiny container and dip your salad into it. Why? You may use less than you intended. Eat smart, and count those calories and fat grams to ensure a healthy diet. The bottom line is that only YOU can accomplish weight loss. Today's market has provided many tools to assist us in reaching our health goals, such as the low fat, low calorie foods. Keep in mind that you need to supplement your diet with vitamins, which play a very important role in balancing your weight. Be sure and do a bit of personal investigating into these lighter, leaner products. Most can add zip to your diet for far less calories and fat. Just beware of those unidentified fat-food objects.

~Author Unknown~