In one embodiment, a reduced fat food product includes a base system and a fat-mimicking system that imparts a characteristic associated with a higher fat content food product. The base system includes one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of dairy ingredients, water, juices, oils, sweeteners, vitamins, minerals, nutrients, flavors, colorants, and preservatives. The fat-mimicking system includes microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and one or more buffering agents. The reduced fat food product is substantially free of an additional emulsifier.
