Understanding a Low Fat Diet

A low fat diet is one of the most commonly prescribed therapeutic diets.  It can help treat a number of diseases—in fact, most people could be healthier if they ate a low fat diet. The National Center for Health Statistics says that the average American gets at least 35% of daily calories from fat.  And, many people eat twice as much fat as they should.  A low fat eating plan includes a variety of foods every day that add up to less than 30% fat. 

Doctors might order a low fat diet for:

• People with heart disease.
• Diabetics.
• People who are overweight.
• People who have trouble digesting fats.

The Benefits of a Low Fat Diet:

• Eating a high fat diet causes “globs” of cholesterol to stick to the sides of blood vessels.  This can cause serious problems like strokes, heart attacks, and cancer.  So, eating a low fat diet reduces the number of cholesterol “globs.”
• A low fat diet can boost the immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells that fight off disease.
• Eating low fat foods helps prevent gallbladder disease.
• A low fat diet helps keep body weight at an ideal level.

Clients on a low fat diet should eat:

• Lots of fruits and vegetables.
• Small portions of meat.
• A bowl of oatmeal instead of a muffin.
• Steamed vegetables instead of French fries.
• Low fat milk instead of whole milk.
• Yogurt instead of sour cream.
• Skinless, baked chicken instead of fried.