The Truth About Low Fat Diets

Mind is All

Most of us grew up hearing about how fat was so bad for us, leading to a trend of low fat diets. These low fat diet plans were based on eating as much as you wanted, as long as your diet was low in fat, under the assumption that people who subsisted on low fat foods (such as carrots and celery) would lose weight. This made sense, since high fat foods are higher in calories, and some studies linked fat consumption with specific health problems.

It seems rational that eating low calorie foods would result in weight loss. The problem is that many high fat foods are good for you, since some types of fats are good, and many low fat foods are horrible for you, leading you to crave more. Take for example a Cosmapolitan, which contains no fat, but packs a lot of calories because it is high in sugar.

If everyone who followed a low fat diet ate fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats, it would be possible to see success. If you can eat a low fat diet that consists of lean meats and high fiber fruits, veggies, and whole grains, you may avoid triggering the insulin production associated with eating high sugar foods, and you may lose weight. The problem is this: most people need some high fat foods to satisfy cravings. Also, most low fat diets ignore portion control, and if you eat too much low fat food, you're still going to gain weight instead of lose it.

The healthy solution? Eat a diet full of high protein, high fiber, and complex carbs, avoiding simple sugars and unhealthy fats such as trans fats and saturated fats. You might want to start with a low fat diet, but add in small amounts of salmon, nuts, olive oil, tuna, and avocados, all of which are packed with healthy fats.

Every healthy weight loss program emphasizes calorie control, wise menu choices, and exercise. If you do choose a low fat diet plan, stay away from high sugar items, and emphasize high protein and high fiber foods.