Diet dilemma: Eating fat does not make you fat?

The food scene could not have been more confusing. The findings of studies coming out periodically add more to the turmoil, virtually pushing us to paranoia over food. Forgive anyone if he feels lost in this welter of advice on what to eat and what not to, more so if the person is a diabetic who has adapted his diet to a very long list that has more “don’t eat” advice than “eat”.

Along came a bombshell last week causing greater havoc.  Whole generations may have grown up believing low-fat food to bring down cholesterol levels was good for the heart and general health. Now they are being told by a leading obesity charity in Britain that “Low-fat” policies have led to a public health disaster and 30 years of official health advice urging people to adopt such diets is having “disastrous health consequences”.

What they are saying in effect is cut out the low-fat and dig into fat. “Eating fat does not make you fat” is the message being conveyed. So do we tuck into meat, cheese, milk, yogurt, avocado? The thought of indulging in all that sounds exciting for those who have spent half a lifetime avoiding the good things of life. Do we now give up years of discipline and simply tuck in and risk setting off a metabolic time bomb?

“The most natural and nutritious foods available — meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, seeds, olive, avocados – all contain saturated fat. The demonisation of omnipresent natural fat drives people away from highly nourishing, wholesome foods,” the report goes on to say.

Wait, before you tuck in, consider there is more contrary advice coming —scientists from a range of fields are criticising this report by the obesity charity, questioning its very evidential basis. Eating more fat could have unimaginable adverse public health consequences on obesity, they say, instantly switching us back to the dietary advice that has held on for over 30 years.

Imagine the dreams of the diabetics being shattered like this for they had just been told “Processed foods labelled “low-fat”, “lite” and “low cholesterol” should be avoided and people with Type 2 diabetes should eat a fat-rich diet rather than one based on carbohydrates”. How do you reconcile to all this clashing information on diets when long held beliefs are being challenged?

There was renewed hope in further research by an Indian scientist that mangoes are not as bad as made out to be by diabetologists. While a specialist believes there are only two seasons in which the diabetics come rushing to him the most — over Diwali and in the mango season —the scientist says people are just picking the wrong mango. He says Alphonsos are the best from the Glycemic Index point of view. He has event spelt out the quantity that can be safely taken by diabetics.

At the end of perplexing days of dietary advice from the media and on websites, it is best to conclude what’s needed is a balanced diet, regular physical activity and a normal healthy weight and so choose what is best from the experience of your own metabolism.