|
Will reducing my dietary fat intake help me lose weight?
To lose weight you need to reduce the total amount of kilojoules (calories) you eat rather than just simply reducing your fat intake. Fat is, however, a concentrated source of kilojoules and contains more kilojoules per gram than protein or carbohydrate. One gram of fat contains 37kJ compared with 16kJ per gram for carbohydrate and 17kJ per gram for protein. Eating a low fat diet is therefore a good way to control your kilojoule intake.
Further to this, fat is not used by the body as effectively as other macronutrients. When eaten in excess of the body’s daily needs, carbohydrate and protein stimulate their own break down. Excess dietary fat is not as readily burned up and is stored as body fat around the stomach, hips and thighs.
Fatty meals may also be less satisfying compared to carbohydrate- and protein-containing ones. You tend to feel less ‘full’ after eating high fat meals.
For more information on fat and weight loss see our Fact Sheets page.
|
