What is healthier: a low-fat diet or a low-carb diet?
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Weight Watchers® answered:Many weight-loss plans have used the biologic properties of specific macronutrients (carbohydrate, fat, and/or protein) to suggest that better weight losses occur by manipulating the amount of these nutrients than by cutting calories alone.
In reality, consuming too many calories, regardless of whether they come from carbohydrate, protein, or fat, is the main cause of weight gain. All excess calories are converted to body fat. Research has also conclusively found that it is the total calories, not the manipulation of how much carbohhydrate, fat and/or protein) that makes the difference for weight loss.
Weight Watchers offers a comprehensive approach to weight loss that can help you reach your goals. Learn more about Weight Watchers and how to join.
Many weight-loss plans have used the biologic properties of specific macronutrients (carbohydrate, fat, and/or protein) to suggest that better weight losses occur by manipulating the amount of these nutrients than by cutting calories alone.... More -
Dr. Dean Ornish answered:According to Dr. Ludwig, the Director of the Optimal Weight for Life (OWL) Program, based at Harvard’s Children’s Hospital in Boston, “When it comes to healthy eating, one size may not fit all. It may be unwise to recommend decreasing dietary fat without adequate attention to the carbohydrates that replace them and vice versa. It’s not low-fat versus low-carb - both are important. An optimal approach may be a diet that pays equal attention to the quality of the fats as well as the carbohydrates: high-quality, unprocessed low-glycemic carbs and plant-based proteins and fats.”
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According to Dr. Ludwig, the Director of the Optimal Weight for Life (OWL) Program, based at Harvard’s Children’s Hospital in Boston, “When it comes to healthy eating, one size may not fit all. It may be unwise to recommend... More -
Dr. Harris McIlwain answered:While researchers used to believe that counting fat grams would allow you to lose weight, we now know this is not always the case. It is true that because fat is calorie dense and provides nine calories per gram of fat, limiting foods loaded with fat automatically limits your calorie intake leading to weight loss. Carbohydrate and protein, on the other hand, provide less than half the calories of fat, or about four calories per gram.
Now, the newer studies on very-low-carbohydrate diets (defined as less than 50 grams of carbohydrate per day) have given us confusing results. Most studies report that people lose more weight on a very-low-carbohydrate diet than on a diet that contains the same amount of calories but more carbohydrates. While some of this additional weight loss might be attributed to loss from water, researchers believe that these diets alter the metabolic rate of the body. These studies have assessed body composition on the very-low-carbohydrate diet and indicate that there is a greater loss of fat mass while the lean body mass is preserved. This suggests that the very-low-carbohydrate diet favors loss of fat. That’s good news!
Nonetheless, eating as much as you want of any food is certainly not the answer to weight loss. Until we know differently, keep a tally of your daily calories to know what’s going into your body. We still believe that if you eat more calories than you burn off - you will gain weight.
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While researchers used to believe that counting fat grams would allow you to lose weight, we now know this is not always the case. It is true that because fat is calorie dense and provides nine calories per gram of fat, limiting foods loaded with... More -
Alberto Gamboa answered:Harvard and Louisiana State University, a two-year federally-financed study included 811 men and women, which showed that cutting calories works, regardless of whether you're emphasizing protein, carbohydrates, or fat.
I recommends you to eat a variety of healthy low calorie foods lose weight. There are many negative effects (such as gianing the weight back and more) by neglecting even just one of your macronutrients, especially carbs.
Harvard and Louisiana State University, a two-year federally-financed study included 811 men and women, which showed that cutting calories works, regardless of whether you're emphasizing protein, carbohydrates, or fat. I recommends you... More -
Dr. Dennis Glatt of Sanford Health answered:A balanced diet with inclusion of all food groups to ensure balanced nutrition, just in smaller portions, would be the best option for those trying to adhere to lifelong diet changes for weight loss. Eat less and move more . . . the best option for long term successful weight loss and maintenance.A balanced diet with inclusion of all food groups to ensure balanced nutrition, just in smaller portions, would be the best option for those trying to adhere to lifelong diet changes for weight loss. Eat less and move more . . . the best... More
