I’m a woman who was just told by my doctor that if I don’t lose weight I could develop diabetes. I really like creamy salad dressings so I switched to fat-free dressing on my salads. So far I’m not losing any weight! Please help!

Trying to lose weight with fat free products is fundamentally flawed in three big ways:

1. Women need the nutrients in fat for many different bodily functions, including proper hormone development, energy production and brain function

2. Many fat-free foods including salad dressings are pumped full of sugar to boost taste.  Replacing fats with sugars leaves you feeling empty and unsatisfied

3. Last, and perhaps most important, fat in our foods and salad dressings supports absorption of fat-soluble nutrients in vegetables, such as vitamin K, lycopene, beta-carotene and lutein. Fat-free foods and dressings interfere with this process. 

Since full fat cream dressings can be high in calories I’d suggest choosing an oil-based dressing such as balsamic vinaigrette that has a lot of taste even in small amounts.

Remember that the fat free diet philosophy has led to the most overweight generation in the history of the world. If you want to lose weight the best plan is to eat less and move more.