A product that is labeled reduced fat meets certain standards with regards to the amount of fat it contains in comparison to the same product in its regular form. Laws around the world vary as to exactly what the term means, but in the United States, a reduced fat product must have at least 25% less fat than the original. It is important to remember, however, that this does not mean that it is necessarily a low fat product; it just means that it is lower in fat than the original.

Stating that a product is reduced fat can be confusing on many levels. The problem is that some products that are reduced fat versions are indeed a much better choice, and some are clearly not; the only way to find this out is to read the label of both the regular and reduced fat foods and compare the ingredients. In many cases, the lower fat content will be replaced with another unhealthy ingredient, such as higher amounts of sugar.

Sugar and salt are two of the most common ingredients that are added back into the recipe to make the reduced fat product taste better. When adding more sugar into the product to reduce the fat, it actually makes the product more unhealthy. The added sugar turns into fat in the body, and thus the fat reduction has not benefited the consumer.

Salt is the other common ingredient added to reduced fat foods. Foods high in sodium can lead to higher blood pressure, and may cause bloating and water retention. Eating salty food can become a problem because the palate becomes used to the taste, and often lead the consumer to eat more foods that are high in sodium.

There are reduced fat products available that are healthy, and these foods usually contain more fiber and less sugar. The only way to find out is to compare the labels and pay attention to the ingredients that are altered most of the time. If the product that claims reduced fat has more fiber, less sugar, less fat, and less sodium than the original version, it is a much better choice and truly a reduced fat option. There is a demand from consumers for healthier, low-fat foods, so is important for the consumer to be aware of what the term means and how it can be of aid in planning a health diet.