Last week, I made a dinner for my teenagers that was "the bomb" (their words), but I made sure to tell them it was healthy before they dug in. Although I was sure I had made enough to have leftovers, there were none. Then, I began to wonder whether we all had eaten a little more because we knew it was a healthy meal. After a little research, I found that was likely the case...

Three studies by researchers at the Cornell Food and Brand Lab found that when snack foods were labeled as low fat, people ate 50 percent more calories.

This is such a dangerous trap. If you eat an extra 100 calories per day for a month, you'll gain a pound of body fat — and it only gets worse as we age because our metabolism naturally slows down.

Avoid portion distortion by following these simple tips:

• Use the serving size listed on the package as a guideline. Try not to eat in excess of one serving.
• Always check sugar content. The body can convert sugar into fat; therefore, a food is not really "fat free" if it contains sugar.
• Low calorie foods can be deceiving if their serving sizes are exceptionally small. Always check to ensure one serving is enough to satisfy you.
• Remember that even many natural foods should be consumed in moderation. Nuts are a great example of such a food, because they are high in fat.
• As soon as you get home from the grocery store, measure out snack-size servings of foods you can eat on-the-go. This way, you won't have to think about portion size throughout the day.
• If you still find that you're overeating low-fat foods, consider buying the full-fat versions instead. You aren't losing weight if you're overeating.

Often, when we buy a food that is labeled as low fat, we're doing so because we want to lose weight, not because that's what we really want to eat. So, the next time you sit down in front of the television munching away on a bag of low-fat popcorn; ask yourself if the extra calories are worth it.

Instead, you could be eating something you really enjoy — as long as you apply some portion control. When all is said and done, the mindless popcorn eating may add up to more fat and calories as the food you wouldn't let yourself indulge in. Eating smarter doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing. It means making conscious decisions about your food.

Article taken from My Health News Daily