Study says eating lower fat alternatives will help shed three-and-a half pounds without dieting

The researchers from the University of East Anglia have stated that eating lower fat alternatives will help people shed three-and-a-half pounds without dieting.

The researchers said, “The results prove for the first time that weight loss can happen without trying to shed weight by choosing foods that are lower in fat.”

They also said that having a diet that consists of reducing fatty foods can lead to a fall in the cancer risk coronary heart disease and stroke. The study also included results from 33 randomized controlled trials, that also includes 73,589 men , women and children.

During the study, the researchers also made comparisons between those eating less fat than usual and those eating their usual amount of fat. They also measured the effect on weight and waistline after atleast six months. 

The results state that eating less fat reduces the body weight, BMI and waistline circumference. All these effects were in trials in which the weight loss was not the intended outcome.

Dr. Lee Hooper from UAE’s Norwich Medical School said, “The weight reduction that we found when people ate less fat was remarkably consistent-we saw it in almost every trial. Those who cut down more on fat, lost more weight.” Dr. Hooper also said, “Having a diet with low-fat milk and yoghurt, cutting down on butter and cheese, and cutting the fat off meat could lead to this slimmer waistline.”  Besides, Mr. Hooper also said, “Most importantly have fruit instead of fatty snacks like biscuits, cake and crisps. And remember, this isn’t a diet, so don’t take it to extremes, but work out a way of eating that you can stick to permanently.”  

Co-author Prof Carolyn Summerbell said, “Healthy diets is a way of eating that people can sustain over time. That’s the trick, to find a comfortable way to eat that you can stick for life which helps you maintain your weight. Cutting down on fat will help.”

Summerbell said explained. “Doing exercise and being physically active is good for maintaining weight and also has other health benefits, but it’s not a replacement for a healthy diet.”