Myth About Low Fat
All one gets to hear about nowadays is about the obesity problem which has reached enormous proportions. The irony of the situation is that with the vast varieties of low-fat food products available, the proportion of weight gain seems to keep on increasing.
Not many people come forward and confess that low-fat food has not worked for them.
The earlier notion was that fat was bad for the body and carbohydrates were good. However, there was not much attention paid to the quality of these carbohydrates. Even the USDA Healthy Food Pyramid used carbohydrates as the base with as many as 6-11 servings a day.
The result was a flood of food products with a range of "Low Fat", "Fat-Free” and "Lite" versions. These products accompanied with smart marketing plans accounted for the highest sales. Marketing strategies usually target the guilt of the customers driving them to look for "Low Fat" or "Fat-Free" products.
Whole Milk Not Really Bad
The low fat, trim, super-trim milks that we use usually passes through the process of homogenization. In this process, the fat globules are forced into an atomizer which forms tiny particles. Milk is given an even appearance by uniformly dispersing these tiny particles throughout the milk.
But recent research has proved that homogenisation process results in the structural changes in the milk. If unhomogenised milk is used, an enzyme called xanthine oxidase present in the milk would pass through the digestive system. This in no way harms the body as it is secreted through the bowel.
However, if the milk subjected to homogenisation process, this enzyme enters the bloodstream. Researchers are also of the opinion that the xanthine oxidase enzyme harms the tissues of our heart and arteries, thereby resulting in an increase in cholesterol levels.
Low Fat Isn’t Effective
Research over the last twenty years has proved that opting for a low-fat or fat-free food product does not result in weight loss. The evidence shows us that just choosing a low-fat version of a food is not helping us lose weight. If truth be told, the process implemented to make the food product low-fat or fat-free should be looked into.
The blame also lies in using too much of refined carbohydrates such as white flours, sugars. Refined carbohydrates affect us adversely and lead to increase in weight.
Why We’re Fat
The main reason that we are fat is that our lifestyles are largely becoming sedentary. We usually eat too much and this is accompanied by very less or no exercise at all. In the words of the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) "we eat a lot – a whole lot more than we used to, and most of the increase comes from refined carbohydrates (sugar)."
When compared to the present consumption of 200 pounds of flour and cereal products per year for an average person, the figures in the 1970’s were only 136 pounds. This increase is most a result of consumption of processed food items such as white flour, high sugar content in foods. The fact that products are not super sized has not helped much, for example in 2004 McDonald’s served French fries as Super size Fries – 7 ounces containing 610 calories whereas in 1955 it was French fries – 2.4 ounces containing a mere 210 calories.
What Is The Solution?
The solution is to understand what food works best for your body. This can be achieved by trial and error. Do not go by complex nutrient charts displayed in the latest diet books. To find out what works best for you, start with a diet plan, keep reworking on it till you find the best method to suit your health and lifestyle.
It is recommended to eat in small proportions and regular intervals to help regulate your energy levels. Eating eat whole unprocessed food also helps. Try to avoid all kinds of refined foods.
Most importantly, try to make time for some physical activity as often as possible
