Low Fat Diet

Question: How does a low fat diet work? I know that with a low carb diet, because you are not replenishing your carbohydrates by eating them, your body has to go into your "stored carbs" for energy and when that it gone it goes to your "stored fat". So what happens when you don't eat fat? I know your body needs some fats for health, but when you are on a low fat high carb diet and are not eating fats does it go into your fat stores to get them? I know ultimately it is about calories in versus calories out but I still want to know what is happening inside our bodies.

Answer: The idea behind the low fat diets is that fat has more calories per ounce than carbohydrates. In other words, a shoebox full of fat has almost twice as many calories as a shoebox full of carbohydrates. So by eating your volume of food in carbohydrates, you are effectively limiting your caloric intake. Now your body burns food much like a fire. If you but shredded paper (carbs) in a fire, it will burn first and fast, whereas if you put a log (fat) in the fire, it will burn long and slow. Your body will burn it's carbs before it burns fat. The principle is the same as a low carb diet. On the low carb diet, you burn the small amount of carbs quickly, then move to the fat you ate, then to the fat on your body. The low-fat diet works the same way, only this time you take a little longer to burn all your carbs, but then since you ate no fat, you move straight to the body fat. Hope this makes sense.

Question: I am going to start a low-fat diet. What are some good low-fat foods? I've been eating a 1,200 calorie diet for a while and I'm not seeing any real result so I'm going to continue it but couple it with 25 or less grams of fat a day. Anyone know of any good low fat foods to eat?

Answer: Grilled skinless chicken, tofu (can be really good w/ the right flavoring), green veggies, green & red peppers, oatmeal, "lite" string cheese, skim milk, tuna, lowfat cottage cheese, lowfat yogurt... Don't go too low on the fat, though. Yes, it does have a lot of calories and yes, saturated and trans-fats won't help you (lose weight, I'm assuming). Get a little olive oil, avocado, almonds, or other sources of mono-unsaturated fats. "Fat-free" products can sometimes have too much sugar in them. Better to go w/ lowfat. And avoid overly processed food--veggies, fruits, yogurt, chicken, lowfat cheese, salmon, tuna, slow-cook oatmeal, nuts--those are the best. Make your own meals & snacks so you know what's in 'em. Exercise if you are able to...even if you don't feel like it. Soon you won't want to go a day w/o exercise. You might have to up your calories to like 1400, but regular exercise, especially using weights, will help you burn calories even when you aren't exercising.

Question: What foods should I avoid for a low fat diet? I really need to go on a low fat diet. See, I think I have Angina, and I am getting really scared. I need to change my diet soon or I might be going to a hospital, and I would like to see tommorrow. I would also like to know what actives I could do to better my heart. Thanks for your help :]

Answer: If you really believe you have heart problems, you need to see a doctor. Otherwise, you can strengthen your heart with daily cardio exercise like running, swimming, bike riding and playing sports. Anything that raises you heart rate is great. Taking a brisk walk is even beneficial. Avoiding high-fat foods does not necessarily improve the health of your heart. In fact, many foods with fat are heart-healthy, like avocados, nuts, and salmon. It is wise, however, to avoid saturated fats. This type of fat is found in fried foods, ice creams, fatty meats, and pastries. Be sure to completely eliminate trans fats, also known as hydrogenated oils. They are the worst for your heart.

Question: Does an extremely low fat diet cause major joint pain especially in the back and cold appendages? ? the only fat I eat these days are from a few eggs a day and the little bit of butter I put on the frying pan, beside that I eat mostly carbs and protein without fat. Recently I've been getting joint pain everywhere and my spin feels like it's going to snap off. my neck spin area hurts. I've also been getting extremely cold hands, feet and tip of the nose. Is this due to my very low fat diet?

Answer: Well, first off you have to remember that fat comes in many foods. It's not just butter or eggs. There are places where coffee will hold so much fat. Chips hold fat. Meat holds fat. Milk holds fat. Oils are fats (So like popcorn or things fried in oil). Desserts are fats. Peanut butter even has a lot of fat and even nuts! These are just some of the foods that hold more fat than others. Many foods hold fats. Fast food holds fats in every thing they create! It's possible that you aren't getting enough fat But I have trouble believing that your body functions are being caused by just low fat. Tell me, is your hair completely dry and brittle? I'd say if that was happening than you might be way too low on fats. Because you need fats/oils to make hair lusty. Oils from your scalp (which come from the food you eat) will fall down your hair making it lusting. Thats why straight hair gets oilier than curly hair or thick hair. Your joint pain could be tons of things. But it probably isn't from the fat. And the other guy is right when he says that oils help the joints move. But otherwise If it had anything else to do with your diet it would be not getting enough food so your bones are dissinagrating but you'd have to be eating as little as an anorexic for that to happen. You might be exercising wrong or something. And cold hands and feet.... I'm not exactly sure all the reasons. I only know one but that wouldn't fit you I'd think. It might just be how your body's reacting from the weather changes this winter. And I do believe that can happen. I'll be sitting at a desk or in the car and my feet would get so cold it's painful even though it's warm in the room. If your really worried than I'd ask a doctor. But if you are getting in other foods with fats than I'd think that it wouldn't be your fats that are causing this.

Question: Is it healthy to go on a High Protein Low Fat Diet? I am a body builder,trying to get big and I have small amount of body fat like 7 kg at most.I am planning to go on a High Protein ,Low Fat Diet.I want to get big and lose the excessive fat at the same time. Is this healthy for my body? Doesn't a body builder's body need any fat to grow the muscles? Is it easy a body builder to keep growing their muscles when there's no fat in their body? Is it ok for the body to have no fat at all?

Answer: Anyone who claims they've gone on the Atkins Diet who have lost their gall bladders due to infection have never read the book. So, don't make that mistake when going on a high protein diet. Protein is obtained by food combining leafy green vegetables and beans and whole rice or many varieties of fruits and vegetables. The human body has a symbiotic relationship with plant foods, so don't ignore them or your immune system will suffer. Also, don't avoid a certain kind of fat and avoid others. Avoid trans fats, like man made oils, such as margarine, Kraft food products, Skippy type peanut butters, or Wesson Oils... Why? They stiffen cell walls and create oxidative stress so that you tire more easily when working out. Eat fatty acids, a type of fat that takes the bad fat out of your body. Such as Olive oils, Flax Seed Oils, Avocados, nuts, seeds, or Fish Oils. Those fats reverse heart disease and improve your nervous system. There's more, but be healthy, stay healthy, and you will reduce overall body fat, increase lean muscle, and increase bone density through the proper nutritional tools.

Question: Im on a diet that requires me to eat low salt and low fat foods. What foods are available? My low salt low sodium low fat diet also requires me to eat low carb foods are there any that combine all three in one food or even two of the three?

Answer: chicken...fish...

Question: is a high sugar low fat diet a good way to maintain my weight? I no that a low carb high fat diet works to loose weight, but what about the opposite? Would it work well to keep me at my current weight?

Answer: High protein would be better...but really. It all depends on how many calories you eat. If you eat too many calories, whether they're from fat, carbs or protein you will put on weight. If you eat too little you will lose weight. Whether you eat carbs, fat or protein does not determine your weight.

Question: Should Proteins and Carbohydrates not been taken in the evening, if someone is on a low cal and low fat diet? I am on Low Cal and Low fat diet, should I not take Proteins and carbohydrates in my evening meals. If no, what else (Indian dishes only) can be taken as an alternate?

Answer: you can take them in the evenings,just limit the portion size & drink lots of water

Question: Can you take a multi vitamin with a low fat diet after gall bladder surgery? I'm about to start a low fat diet after my gall bladder surgery last week. can I take a multi vitamin with the diet?

Answer: don't see why not.

Question: If I am on a very low fat diet, how effective will Alli be? I'm on a very low fat diet in which I only consume about 5 grams of fat per meal. Since I read that Alli only blocks about 1/4 of the fat you consume, does that mean I'm only blocking about 3-4 g of fat from being absorbed everyday? I could burn that much off in 10 minutes of walking. Does anyone know if it blocks more fat than that?

Answer: Probably not much, then. Alli is a simple fat blocker. The displays for Alli specifically say that the people that should take this need to be ready for a lifestyle change, specifically that they would make a commitment to diet and exercise, which it sounds like you have. As long as you accept the risks (the side effects of it, along with the warnings we've pointed out), then you can certainly try it. It can actually help you lose an extra 1-2 pounds per 5 pounds you would lose on your own because of that.... but if you eat any high-fat meals, be prepared to take a dump whenever you cough or sneeze (and I mean that literally). That's why it says to wear brown pants. By blocking the absorption of fat, it passes through your digestive tract and will make your bowels and stools very oily and slippery (which is the nature of fat and grease). If that's worth it for you for that extra couple pounds, I'd say go for it!

Question: Should I remove Proteins & Carbohydrates completely from my diet, as I am on a Low Cal & Low fat Diet program? I am going through a Low Cal and Low Fat Diet program, I just take fresh fruits all day, but then I feel hungry. Can I add some Proteins, Carbohydrates and Fibres in my diet as well or these things should be completely avoided? If Yes, what else can be taken to stop hunger and if no, in which part of daily meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) should these be taken?

Answer: no, I think goin 4 a diet isn't the right way 2 lose weight. Plus if u r not goin 2 hav any intake of carbohydrates & protein. Y don't u go 4 exercise or any sports which might help u & of course avoid the intake of food that r richly contain with fats only lik junk food, fast food & fried, crispy food. Boild or steamed food should B yr main diet only.

Question: Low fat diet for a pregnant woman? Before you judge and say that it is bad for me to be on any kind of diet while pregnant, I have a good reason for it. It was prescibed by my doc because I have Cholelithiasis Biliary Colic, or irritated gall bladder. I have to be on a low fat, clear liquids diet. The clear liquids don't bother me at all. Water is pretty much what I drink most of the time. I don't really drink pop. Anyway, I wanted to know if anyone could give me recipes or good things I can eat that are low in fat? I still want to eat healthy for my baby. I can't do fish, but am open to other suggestions. Any thoughts?

Answer: The best thing would be to ask your physician to refer you to a nutritionist or dietician who could help you plan meals that would be low in fat, with regard to your gall bladder condition, and still nutritious for pregnancy. They will work with you when it comes to dietary preferences too :) Until you've gotten that referral though... just keep in mind that the best dishes are the simplest, using few sauces, especially those containing cheese, cream and oils. Use information from your OB-GYN to determine how many servings of each food group you should have each day for your baby's health. (Generally this is a pretty normal diet with one extra serving each of protein, calcium/dairy and yellow/green veg/fruit.) Make sure you are taking a prenatal vitamin supplement. If you like stir fry, this is a great way to have your protein (skinless chicken, lean beef and yes, even pork of it's lean) with a ton of veggies (broccoli, red and green peppers, julienned carrots, yellow and green squash, green beans, peas, you choose your own combinations) and just cook them quickly in a wok or large skillet, using only a thin coating of olive oil on the pan. Start with the items that take the longest to cook and end with something that requires little cooking, like snow peas or bean sprouts. For seasoning, just a little soy sauce, salt and pepper... can throw in a little ginger if you'd like. If you want it to seem "saucier" then mix a little cornstarch with your soy sauce before adding it in toward the end. Serve this with some brown rice. Salads are also a great way to get lots of veggies, a little protein, just avoid cheese (or use lowfat cheese) and use fat-free salad dressings or lesser amounts of the lowfat versions. Consider making your own salad dressing using a 6oz can V-8 juice, 1tbsp balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper, and 1/4 cup lowfat cottage cheese thrown into the blender. Sounds strange... it's very tasty :) Pastas are great as long as you have them with lowfat sauces and additions. Try simple marinaras with a little parmesan on top. Parmesan is actually a very lowfat cheese. Steam your own selection of veggies and have them with the pasta, with or without sauce. Avoid alfredo sauces because they're high in fat content. When you choose your dairy products, choose skim milk and skim milk or lowfat versions of cheeses, yogurts, sour cream etc and then use sparingly. (Keep in mind you will need to have enough fat-free yogurt or skim milk to fulfill your calcium requirement during pregnancy.) Consider having a fat-free smoothie for breakfast, using 8oz skim milk, a frozen banana (cut in chunks) and a handful of frozen strawberries. Whiz that up in the blender and it's very satisfying, and fulfills one calcium and two fruit units for the day. Please do seek counseling and suggestions from a registered dietician or nutritionist. If you use the health department for your prenatal care, they have folks there who can advise you as well. Best of luck to you and congratulations on your impending arrival :)

Question: How do I find out what I can eat on a low fat and low Carb diet? my tryglisaride is 1,400 and Doctor put me on a med to reduce it but told me to go on a low Carb and Low Fat diet,how do i find that kind of information on what to eat and not to eat

Answer: eat yogart and/or talk to a specialist on what food to eat and just look at the label on all your food before you buy it or eat it

Question: will i gain a lot of weight if i switch form a low carb diet to a low fat diet? also will a low fat diet be any better for my health in the long run than a low carb diet?

Answer: A well balanced diet of both carbs and protein is essential for everyone. Studies have shown when you limit the intake of carbs or protien your brain mass decreases and other health problems start to develop. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/711217

Question: Can I include Tinned Sweet Corn in my diet as I am on a Low Fat Diet program? I am on a Low Fat Diet Program and have replaced my 2 Diets i.e Lunch and Dinner with Fruits like Apple, Papaya, Orange and Vegetable Salads like Tomato, Onion and Cucumber. Can I include Tinned Sweet Corn in my Diet as well ? What else can be included or excluded?

Answer: ESF

Question: Which is more effective, a low calorie diet or a low fat diet? I work full time, I walk a little over 4 miles a day and work out in the gym about 3 times a week... I want to lose a stone... Would a low fat diet or a low calorie diet be more effective? 1 stone=14 pounds

Answer: It is never a good idea to completely cut off any one single source of calories/nutrition - any dietary table will tell you that humans need EACH food group there is, and that includes fat. Based on that knowledge, it would not be advisable to cut off fat, but to try to approximate the guidelines set by the dietary board, and to adjust accordingly. Lessening your caloric intake, coupled with an increase of your activities (physical) will help quicken that pace of "losing". You might want to consider circuit training - alternating exercises of cardiovascular and strength natures, about 1-3 minutes each only per exercise. (Example: 2 minutes of bench presses - with light weights of course, if you'll be doing it for 2 minutes, that's the only way to sustain it; then followed by 2 minutes on the treadmill, then 2 minutes of squats or lunges, then two minutes on the stairmaster, etc.) Many gym clients swear by this method of losing weight, a combination of cardiovascular and weight training exercises. I mention the circuit training idea above because you seem to be already active in working out - you might need to "shock" your body in a new direction, especially since the body is notoriously adept at adapting to routines, which seems like what your exercise regimen is becoming - routinary. The best bet for diet advice is to consult a dietitian or doctor, they need to measure your current caloric intake and adjust it accordingly. Good luck!