A diet rich in FULL FAT dairy and meat can lower the chance of obesity, say boffins
Health charity claims low fat diets are disastrous for our health
EATING fat can help people lose weight, a health charity claims.
And urging them to follow lower fat diets is having “disastrous” effects.
A report by Public Health Collaboration demands a major overhaul of dietary guidelines, with a return to “whole foods” such as meat, fish and dairy.
In the report on the National Obesity Forum website, the charity says: “Eating a diet rich in full fat dairy can lower the chance of obesity. The continued demonisation of omnipresent natural fat drives people away from highly nourishing, wholesome and health-promoting foods.”
The report - which has caused a huge backlash amongst the scientific community - also argues that saturated fat does not cause heart disease while full fat diary - including milk, yoghurt and cheese - can actually protect the heart.
Processed foods labelled “low fat”, “lite” or “low cholesterol” should be avoided, they say.
The report also said sugar should be avoided, people should stop counting calories and that people with Type 2 diabetes should eat a fat-rich diet rather than one based on carbohydrates.
Cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra — a founding member of the Collaboration — said: “Eat fat to get slim, don’t fear fat, fat is your friend.”
According to the report a diet low in refined carbohydrates but high in healthy fats is "an effective and safe approach for preventing weight gain and aiding weight loss", and cuts the risk of heart disease.
But Prof John Wass, the Royal College of Physicians’ special adviser on obesity, said there was “good evidence that saturated fat raises cholesterol.”
Adding: "What is needed is a balanced diet, regular physical activity and a normal healthy weight. To quote selective studies risks misleading the public."
Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: "This report is full of ideas and opinion, however it does not offer the robust and comprehensive review of evidence that would be required for the BHF, as the UK's largest heart research charity, to take it seriously.
"This country's obesity epidemic is not caused by poor dietary guidelines; it is that we are not meeting them."
Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at PHE slammed the advice saying: "In the face of all the evidence, calling for people to eat more fat, cut out carbs and ignore calories is irresponsible.”