What are the best slimming foods on the market

A.� There are thousands of low-fat, low-calorie food products on the shelves in this country. Slimming Magazine has come up with a "Light & Low Awards" system to help consumers pick the best options. The awards are given to products tried and tested by more than 1,000 members of the public. Slimming Magazine's Editor, Alison Hall, said the awards -�dubbed the Oscars of healthy eating - had been devised without the help of the food industry.

"These are the public's favourite products," she said in an interview.

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Q.� What are the best products on a calorie-controlled diet

A.� The Winner of the Light and Low breakfast cereals is Weetabix: Highly Commended in Quaker Oatso SImple.

Winner of Light and Low Sweetener is Canderel: Highly Commended is Hermesetas.

Winner of Light and Low fizzy drink is Diet Coke: Highly Commended is Diet Pepsi.

Winner of Light and Low ready meals is Weight Watchers from Heinz: Highly Commended is Birds Eye 95 per cent fat free

Winner of Light and Low meat products is Bernard Matthew Cooked Turkey products: Highly Commended Mattesons Turkey rashers

Winner of Light and Low frozen and chilled desserts is Cadbury Light Chocolate Mousse: Highly Commended Weight Watchers

Winner of Light and Low cheeses and cheese spreads, The Laughing Cow Light: Highly Commended, Philadelphia Light

Winner of Light and Low soups, Weight Watchers from Heinz: Highly Commended, Batchelors Slim-a-Soup

Winner of Light and Low sweets and chocolate, McVities Go-Ahead Crisp Bars; Highly Commended, Mars Flyte

Winner of Light and Low vegetarian range, Quorn; Highly Commended Linda McCartney

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Q.� Do these products work

A.� Experts at Slimming Magazine say low-fat, low-calorie spreads, biscuits, drinks and snacks can make a difference to people on calorie-controlled diets. Calorie and fat-counted ready meals can make dieting quick and simple and should be bulked up with vegetables and salad to make sure you get the right amount of nutrients in your diet. There are also low-fat versions of favourite puddings, snacks and spreads which make it easier to diet. By cutting from full-fat milk to semi-skimmed or even skimmed milk can make a huge difference to your calorie consumption. SImilarily, Coke and Pepsi contain vast amount of sugar compared with the diet versions available. Cutting out sugar in hot drinks and switching to low-fat spreads rather than butter can drastically lower your calorie intake.

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For more food and drink questions and answers, click here

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by Katharine MacColl