Yes, these foods can be beneficial. However, a “fat-free” product is not necessarily low in calories. It may still be high in sugar. The trick is to avoid using twice as much because the food is lower in fat. In many cases, learning to use less is best.

Sometimes, it is possible to substitute a food that is naturally lower in fat. For example, yogurt can replace mayonnaise or sour cream. This works well for spreads, salad dressing or the “salad” sandwiches like egg or tuna.