A low-fat diet can be an effective way to lose weight and improve your health. In addition to reducing your risk for heart disease, cutting back on fat can enhance weight loss in several ways. For example, fat has more calories per gram than either protein or carbohydrates, so reducing fat may help lower your caloric intake. Research also suggests that fat calories are more easily converted to body fat than are calories from protein or 'carbs.' When selecting foods, remember that the best items are those, which are naturally, low in fat, like fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, and whole grains. Such foods are often low in calories as well. Processed foods that are fat-free or low fat, on the other hand, may still be high in calories. If you eat more calories than you burn, you'll gain weight, no matter how low in fat your diet may be. In addition, you should realize that your body needs some fat to function properly. Certain fats like olive oil, canola oil, and those found in fatty fish contain anti-oxidants and other compounds that are beneficial to your health. Such fats should be consumed in moderation and replace saturated choices like butter whenever possible.
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