September 21, 2010- Fat replacer is the substitute of fat that is consumed in place of whole or part of fat. Although the food wont contain any fat yet it will taste and feel like the one having fat. Fat replacers are taken to reduce the amount of fat in the food and to reduce the calorie intake.
Guar gum , dried plum paste, oat fiber, wheat fiber, modified food, xanthum gum starches are carbohydrate based fat replacers. Carbohydrate fat replacer absorbs water and thus thickens and stabilizes the food. Frozen desserts, cheese, yogurts contain carbohydrate based fat replacers.
To make protein based fat replacers either milk protein or egg white protein is used. Through the process of microparticulation the protein molecules are broken down into tiny protein particles called microparticles. Per gram of protein based fat replacer has four calories. Butter, cheese, mayonnaise, salad dressings and soups are few among the usages of protein based fat replacers.
Fat based fat replacers contain modified fat molecules that are either not absorbed or absorbed only partially. Caprenin, Benefat and Olean are the examples in which Olean cannot be absorbed and Caprenin, Benefat can be partially absorbed.
As per FDA i.e the United States Food and Drug Administration all kinds of fat replacers are safe for consumption. Invention of fat replacer has given people a choice of eating food that tastes similar to fat but very low in calorie than the original food.
"Fat replacements provide an opportunity for individuals to reduce intake of high-fat foods and enjoy reduced-fat formulations of familiar foods while preserving basic food selection patterns.... Indeed, many of the fat replacements in use today can be incorporated into foods that reflect the changing tastes of Americans. Traditional and new ingredients and technologies provide flavorful, satisfying foods, such as salad and cooking oils, cheeses, ice creams, bakery products, and salty snacks and crackers, that are reduced in fat or contain no fat."
If we sum up the whole thing then it is clear that intake of fat replacers does not increase the calories intake and yet these balance the energy intake. More and more number of people are shifting to fate replacers instead of fat rich diet to manage and reduce weight.