A low fat diet  is a diet plan which focuses on reducing the dietary intake of fat, often paired with caloric restriction, for weight loss.  Participants are required to keep up with the amount of fat they get each day while keeping fat intake under a certain percentage of caloric intake.  This will require dedication and determination of the participant, in addition to learning to properly read food labels in order to have success.  While some fat is required by the body for proper nutrition and body function, proponents of low fat weight loss plans suggest that restricting fat intake can be a successful way to lose weight.   

It is important to note that there are pros and cons to low fat diets for weight loss.  Benefits can, but don’t always, include:  lowered cholesterol due to reduced intake of high cholesterol foods, improved feeling of well-being from eating more non-processed foods and weight loss associated with caloric restriction usually associated with low fat weight loss programs.  The case against this method of weight loss include, but are not limited to, severe restriction of fats resulting in poor body function and, in severe cases, damage; as well as participants making the assumption that “if it is low fat it is good for me”, which can actually lead to weight gain.

If you choose to use a low fat diet plan, be sure you are choosing to include the ”right” or “good” forms of fat instead of just restricting higher fat foods.  Never take part in a diet regimen that requires you to either eliminate fats completely or restrict your fat intake to levels below the recommended daily allowance as prescribed by the USDA.  Take the time to educate yourself on the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats and which foods these can be found in. 

• Saturated fats
• Unsaturated fats
• Proteins
• Reading Food Labels

While low fat diets can be a successful means for weight loss, maintaining a healthy weight will most likely require long term modifications to include exercise as well as a balanced diet including all of the 5 food groups.

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