Worried About Fat and Calories?

“Get the fat out” is the guideline for a continuing stream of new dairy products. With Knudsen Free Nonfat Sour Cream Alternative, introduced in August, it’s now possible to dollop cholesterol-free sour cream onto baked potatoes or to make sour cream dips, sauces and salad dressings that aren’t as fat-laden as they once were.

The Knudsen product is made from skim milk, not the vegetable oil that is used in imitation sour cream, and so has natural creamy texture and flavor. A two-tablespoon serving contains about 18 calories, two-thirds less than regular sour cream. The 16-ounce carton sells for $1.19 to $1.29 at major chain markets.

Sargento Cheese Co. of Plymouth, Wis., has launched a line of reduced-fat natural cheeses under the name Preferred Light Cheeses. The line includes two packaged sliced cheeses: low-moisture part-skim mozzarella and wafer-thin low-sodium Swiss. There are also two shredded cheeses: mild Cheddar and low-moisture part-skim mozzarella. According to Sargento, the new light products contain about one-third less fat than regular cheese. An ounce of Preferred Light Cheddar or Swiss contains 90 calories and five grams total fat; the mozzarella contains 60 calories and three grams fat. They’re available at Albertsons, Hughes, Lucky, Ralphs, Vons and Alpha Beta.

Fleur-de-Lait’s ultra-light spreadable cheese is so tasty and creamy you wouldn’t identify it as a “lightened” product. The chives-and-onion flavor is subtle and fresh; there’s also a garlic-and-spice flavor. An ounce of either spread contains 60 calories and five grams fat. The price for the six-ounce container is $1.89 at Trader Joe’s.

And if you’re not worried about fat and calories, try this great snack: spicy cheese-topped jalapeno bagels from Ralphs in-store bakery. The price is $1.79 for a pack of two.