Nonfat
From ArticleWorld
The term nonfat is typically used interchangeably with the term “fat free.” It refers to nutritional content claims that are regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for proper use on food labels.
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Meaning of claims
When a product is sold or promoted as being nonfat, it is upheld to the FDA's regulatory standards that the product can contain absolutely no amount of fat.
Other uses
Food and drink products that are labeled as nonfat, fat free or skim (skim milk, for instance,) must contain no more than .5 grams of fat for every serving.
Health
With a growing obesity epidemic in much of the Western world, the consumption of fat-free and nonfat foods is becoming increasingly popular; that is, there is an increasing demand for these products. Skim milk and nonfat yogurts are viewed as the most healthful options. Many dietitians suggest a low fat diet with a lot of fruit, vegetables and fiber as the best way to lose weight.
Concerns
Just because a food has no fat does not mean that it can be freely consumed, or that it is necessarily good for one. It is still suggested by many nutritionists that people consume a diet with a wide variety of products for optimal nutritional benefit.
Critics of nonfat eating beliefs insist that not all fats are bad and that in fact diets high in monounsaturated fats ore omega-3 fatty acids are actually attributed to lower risk of heart disease. The body does indeed need some fat to function. The fear is, then, that a diet where less than 10 percent of one's calories come from fat will lead to a deficiency of essential fatty acids.