oduction)
Fat mimetics provide the bulk and mouthfeel of fats but have fewer calories. Typical ingredients used to mimic fat are starch, cellulose, pectin, protein, and dextrins (substances related to sugar). Fat mimetics reduce calories not only because they are less calorically dense than fats, but also because they contain a lot of water, which itself replaces part of the fat. Typically, fat mimetics are used in products that have a lot of fluid in them, such as dessert, spreads, and salad dressings.