Not always. Some fat-free and low-fat foods may contain added sugar, flour, or starch thickeners to improve flavor and texture after fat is removed. These ingredients add calories, which push the calorie amount right back up. Foods and their reduced fat varieties will show you that just because a product is fat-free, it doesn't mean that it is "calorie-free." And, calories do count!!
Many processed low-fat or fat-free foods have just as many calories as the full-fat versions of the same foods, maybe even more calories!!
Always read the Nutrition Facts food label to find out the calorie content. Remember, this is the calorie content for one serving of the food item, so be sure and check the serving size. If you eat more than one serving, you'll be eating more calories than is listed on the food label.
Source: nhlbi.nih.gov
