To Eat Fat or Not Fat?xe: Hi, I have... - Weight Loss Support

Weight Loss Support

115,112 members61,338 posts

To Eat Fat or Not Fat?xe

Norfolkmummy profile image
28 Replies

Hi, I have dieted on and off for years and have had the “Low Fat” is best message tattooed on ?@7my brain. However I know that thought on this are changing. With high cholesterol I thought reducing Lipids is a good idea by adopting low fat diet and exercising. I am aware of healthy fats such as nuts, oily fish etc. But yoghurt ? Butter? Cheese? What is the evidence And what is the current advice please?

Written by
Norfolkmummy profile image
Norfolkmummy
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
28 Replies
BridgeGirl profile image
BridgeGirlAdministrator2 stone

Here are a couple of resources that have changed my way of thinking, Norfolkmummy

phcuk.org/wp-content/upload...

phcuk.org/wp-content/upload...

Norfolkmummy profile image
Norfolkmummy in reply toBridgeGirl

Interesting reading, but so different to current guidelines, I can’t see NICE making such a radical change to guidance in one go?!

BridgeGirl profile image
BridgeGirlAdministrator2 stone in reply toNorfolkmummy

Nor can I. Most institutions are slow to acknowledge that they have been mistaken and/or that further work has thrown doubt on existing opinion. Look how long it took for smoking to be recognised as the risk it was, and for advice to be updated.

I have confidence in the authors of those reports. As far as I can see, they have no financial or commercial interest in promoting a different approach and what they say makes sense to me. The 'epidemic' of obesity and metabolic disease in the UK has coincided with a shift in our diet away from whole foods, and away from eating three meals with nothing in between. I know coincidence isn't causation but it's reasonable enough for me to have some confidence in.

However, we all have to do our own reading and exploring 'til we reach a conclusion we're happy with and take it from there :)

BridgeGirl profile image
BridgeGirlAdministrator2 stone in reply toBridgeGirl

PS It's Public Health England who are responsible for current guidance, the Eatwell Guide

IndigoBlue61 profile image
IndigoBlue61

We are all different and need to do the research Norfolkmummy, but the way I see it, as a middle aged and fairly immobile woman, I cannot possibly need the same energy requirements from carbohydrates as a young fit male bricklayer. I have gradually reduced carbs and reintroduced the nice tasty fats in nuts, olive oil, avocado, cheese and fattier cuts of meat. Not to extremes like putting butter in my coffee (yes! That’s a real trend 😩) The weight is coming down slowly but more importantly by filling my plate with green leafy vegetables, salad etc I feel really healthy, my digestion is happy, and I’m appear to be losing inches

Have a good read, especially at the links above, and then decide what works for you 😊

IndigoBlue61 profile image
IndigoBlue61 in reply toIndigoBlue61

Ps the term ‘high cholesterol’ is misleading, it’s the balance between the different types that is key. Were you given any other advice or just the usual opt out of “reduce fat in your diet” ?

Norfolkmummy profile image
Norfolkmummy in reply toIndigoBlue61

I wasn’t given any advice at all, but in fairness I had a lot of other health issues at the time, the dr may have overlooked that one. I’m seeing him again next week. Thank you for your input x

IndigoBlue61 profile image
IndigoBlue61 in reply toNorfolkmummy

You’re welcome 😊

jaybee72 profile image
jaybee72 in reply toIndigoBlue61

I agree with everything you have said IndigoBlue except I can't manage the fattier meat , I stilll cut it off even bacon after cooking. Where is this young fit male bricklayer I am watching my bricklayer(hubby) repairing our garden wall, doesn't quite fit the bill especially the young bit😄😄

IndigoBlue61 profile image
IndigoBlue61 in reply tojaybee72

Haha 😂 lucky you!!

My son’s a bricklayer so that was who I was thinking of, very hard working to provide for his beautiful young family 😊

jaybee72 profile image
jaybee72 in reply toIndigoBlue61

He sounds a great family man. My hubby is really a retired accountant thats probaly why the walls falling down! but he tries.😃

IndigoBlue61 profile image
IndigoBlue61 in reply tojaybee72

Sounds like my Computer Analyst hubby who can just about manage to put a shelf up 🤣

Stoozie profile image
Stoozie

Regarding the fats from dairy which you mention, there is also evidence that not only is it not harmful (as was once believed), but that the fat isn't even absorbed by the body, with other minerals present acting as a 'fat-blocker'.

Link here: bbc.co.uk/sn/humanbody/trut...

Norfolkmummy profile image
Norfolkmummy in reply toStoozie

I used to drink half a pint of skimmed milk a night and I got bigger and bigger (that might have been the biscuits) but skimmed and semi-skimmed milk have the same calcium content. So I’m confused 🤷🏻‍♀️

Stoozie profile image
Stoozie in reply toNorfolkmummy

Whilst it binds fat, the sugars and carbs would still affect you. But cheese butter and FF yoghurt are all v low sugar. :) HTH x

Alisongold profile image
Alisongold in reply toStoozie

Thank you for this link, interesting reading.

Hopalong1 profile image
Hopalong13 stone in reply toAlisongold

I agree, it was a good read.

cheritorrox profile image
cheritorrox

To add a bit more reading here's one of many explaining why cholesterol is not an issue.

huffpost.com/entry/the-chol...

I think everybodys bodies are different ive lost weight in the past on low fat diets ive tried eating foods that contain healthy fats and have gained weight so ive recently gone back to a low fat diet which is working for me

PandQs profile image
PandQsMaintainer3st 7lbs

Hi Norfolkmummy, After year’s of low fat I’ve switched now to LCHF. Over the past months I’ve been constantly searching for info on the internet, regarding LCHF, high fat, cholesterol, heart disease etc. I’m no expert, just an older lady, less obese than I used to be, whose innards are now no longer bursting through my six pack in the form of a fatty hernia.

Things that I have come to consider could be true are that high fat diet is not the cause of heart disease. The benefits of statins were misrepresented by the statistics presented to the public (a 3% occurrence of heart attack reduced to 2% is NOT a 33% reduction of risk as published). I also now believe very strongly that it is SUGAR in all it’s forms that does the most damage, shunted to fat by insulin to cause weight gain, damaging arteries and so requiring cholesterol to repair the damage causing build up of plaque as scars.

Maybe as a layperson I am only reading what I want to believe. You quite rightly want to hear expert advice before you make your own decision. This is one video that I found believable:

The Truth About Heart Disease & Cholesterol - Dwight Lundell

m.youtube.com/watch?v=8A-BE...

BridgeGirl profile image
BridgeGirlAdministrator2 stone in reply toPandQs

Thanks for that, PandQs , I haven't seen him before. It was excellent :)

The power of asking the right question

Enamel profile image
Enamel3lbs

I understand fermented bread is Sourdough Bread? Is that true? Can it be bought in supermarkets? Who makes it?

JohnSteed profile image
JohnSteed

What an excellent thread, and the two guidelines from Public Health are excellent reading, and makes sense, but quite a step change from what's been drilled into us over the last few years.

BridgeGirl profile image
BridgeGirlAdministrator2 stone in reply toJohnSteed

Which is why it's such a challenge for many of us to make the change. But so rewarding, in taste as well as results :)

shopteddy profile image
shopteddy10 kg

I am not sure what I think is the best way to eat. However for me the slimming world diet works well. It's low fat (which I don't find difficult to do) and encourages some carbs with protein and lots of fruit and veg. Started last week and lost 4lb. My aim is to eat in a way that I can carry on with oncertain the weight is lost rather than going back to old eating habits. We all need to find what suits us and eat everything in moderation.

jaynewoodbank profile image
jaynewoodbankRestart May 2024 in reply toshopteddy

I've lost weight easily and steadily with Slimming World too, after my weight loss ground to a halt last year.

We're all different and I find I just don't seem to be able to get on with maintaining my weight unless I get some carbs in and restrict fat intake

seaspaniel profile image
seaspaniel

Michael Mosley and his Fast 800 stuff has some good research information around this. thefast800.com/

lucigret profile image
lucigret in reply toseaspaniel

Hello seaspaniel, are you just passing through or are you here to join us in the quest to loose weight? You would be very welcome and if you would like our Newbie Pack please let me know :)

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Low fat or Full fat???

I keep reading contradictory comments about eating low or full fat options as the lower fat option...
Trick profile image

To Carb or not to Carb?

My question is, Public Health Collaboration promote Real Food, low carbs and not rely too much on...
Kat246 profile image

Calorie counting or low fat?

OK I see everyone on here going on about calories in each meal etc. I am very wary of counting...
punkmum profile image

Fat or Muscle

I wish to lose weight and I am doing ok two stones in four months. I have cut my calorie intake...
PedallingMinstrel profile image
Restart April 2024

Low fat or full fat yogurt?

Can I ask which you tend to use please? I'm so confused as the full fat has less sugar but then I'm...

Moderation team

See all
TheTabbyCat profile image
TheTabbyCatAdministrator
TeamAdmin profile image
TeamAdminAdministrator
BridgeGirl profile image
BridgeGirlAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.