Slim chance of weight loss with a low-fat diet, claims new study

Experts recommend a healthy, natural diet to help you lose weight

LOW-fat diets are an ineffective way of losing weight, a global study has found.

 

It said the best way is to eat plenty of natural food – fruit, vegetables, meat and fish – but cut back on carbohydrates such as bread, pasta and potatoes. 

The conclusion is based on an analysis of 53 studies involving nearly 70,000 adults – the world’s largest investigation into the effectiveness of low-fat eating. 

It showed no difference in the average weight loss between reduced-fat diets and higher-fat diets. British experts said the findings of a US team from the Harvard Medical School in Boston, published today in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, are the final word on healthy eating. 

  

Bread and other carbohydrate-rich foods encourage the body to store more fat

Experts also recommend staying clear of pasta and potatoes to help weight loss

Cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra said: “This analysis confirms that dietary advice to reduce the intake of fat and increase the consumption of starchy carbohydrates has been a complete and utter failure for tackling obesity. 

Low-fat is not healthy and this study shows it offers absolutely no help in losing weight

Zoe Harcombe, Diet specialist

“It’s now time for a U-turn in Government dietary guidelines.” 

The research is a blow to an industry worth tens of billions of pounds. 

Diet specialist Zoe Harcombe said: “Nature puts fat in most things but lowfat foods tend to be rammed with sugar that contains no protein, essential fats, vitamins or minerals. 

Fish and natural meat should also be an essential part of a balanced diet

“Low-fat is not healthy and this study shows it offers absolutely no help in losing weight.” 

Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said: “Most diets – low-fat, high-fat or no-fat – are just fads and gimmicks.”