I am definitely not one to start and stop a variety of diets. I typically like to work on healthy eating habits that will lead to the results that I am looking for. That said, I have tried a variety of “out of the book” diets with a variety of success and failure. I have recently been asked to comment on a low fat diet plan and to be honest I’m now thinking it isn’t really the way to go.
What is a low fat diet plan
A low fat diet plan is simply that, a diet that is low in fat. That said, it is important to realize that not all fat is created equal. There are definitely good fats and bad fats and it is important to know the difference before customizing a low fat diet plan.
Good Fats vs Bad Fats
The good fats are the monounsaturated fats which helps to lower your bad cholesterol (LDL) while raising your good cholesterol (HDL). These good fats can be found in many nuts including almonds and walnuts or in virgin olive oil.
The bad fats on the other hand are your saturated fats and trans fats. These bad fats can be typically found in animal products and packaged goods. If you are eating lean whole foods you should not have to worry about these fats.
Why choose a low fat diet plan
If you are having health issues such as obesity, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, a low fat diet plan might not be a bad idea. That said, there are better things to concentrate on if your only goal is to lose weight. For example, if you are looking for the quickest way to lose weight in a couple weeks, the low fat diet is not the solution.
My best low fat diet plan:
I have assembled a list of foods that you should and should not eat as far as decreasing your bad fat intake goes. This is the best low fat diet plan that I could come up with for overall health goals. I tried my best to make this one of the easy diets to follow.
What to eat and drink
Lots of whole foods: increase the amount of vegetables and whole grains you are eating on a low fat diet. Some good ideas here are fresh vegetables, sweet potatoes, kidney and black beans, and whole grain breads and rice.
Lean meat: animal fat is a big source of the unhealthy fats. Fortunately, you can still eat meat if you choose wisely. Try to avoid too much dark meat such as steaks and hamburger. If you are going to have a hamburger or two, make sure to choose extra lean beef instead of a medium cut. Boneless and Skinless chicken breasts are your safest bet as far as a low fat meat goes.
Lots of water: it is very important to consume enough water throughout the day as so many people do not drink enough. With introducing a lower fat diet, the importance of drinking enough water is even higher.
What not to eat and drink
It is important to avoid fatty meats such as non-lean cut pork, bacon, steaks, and chicken wings. Do not consider eating at a fast food restaurant, and be much more selective if you are dining out at all. Try to stay away from dairy and cheese as well.
Avoid all “junk foods” such as chips and cookies. It is also very important that you avoid any sort of carbonated soda or pop. Only drink water, coffee or tea for a treat, and in a pinch a small amount of fresh fruit juice.
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