High fat diet- good or bad?

[morningstar]

Gotta query for all of you smart people: If you were to get all of your fats from healthy sources, would there be anything wrong with a very high fat nutrition plan- maybe 50-60% of calories consumed coming from fat?

Please assume that the total calories consumed would be still in balance with the activity level of the person and that the person would still get enough of the other macronutrients they need (protein, complex carbs, veggies etc.) from the rest of their calories.

By healthy fats, I mean such as raw nuts and seeds, either as whole kernels, cold-pressed oils or pure butters, a focus on Omega 3s, fish oils, etc.

Of course, no trans fats, little saturated fat, less Omega 6s, etc.

 

[Alana_as]

eeh, well I kind of wonder that too, cause I don't really know. hehe I would say that isn't NOT a good idea but then again, I'm not sure. So any response would be great! tehee Sorry I wasn't much help. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be good for you, but that's just a guess! sorry!

 

[kariev]

i say it would be fine as long as your cals are in check. some people do better with a higher fat diet and i have done this and feel much more satisfied and have more energy. i say try it and see how you feel. it won't hurt you to do it.

 

[kathryn]

I think 50-60% fat is a bit high, even if the fat is from a good source.
A higher-fat diet can be healthy (maybe up to 40%), if it is based on whole foods (no oils, which are concentrated fats with much of the other nutrients removed).

I think some people can tolerate higher fat diets, especially in the colder months (a high fat diet in the summer just doesn't feel right to me).

 

[GMonkey]

I think that this might be a good idea to do once or twice per week, but not on a regular basis. High fat diets are linked to breast cancer and other problems. Also, to stay at a low calorie level, the volume of food would be pretty low.

I think that an occasional "fat shock" might be good for dry skin, upping energy, etc.

 

[nancy324]

Gotta query for all of you smart people: If you were to get all of your fats from healthy sources, would there be anything wrong with a very high fat nutrition plan- maybe 50-60% of calories consumed coming from fat?

Please assume that the total calories consumed would be still in balance with the activity level of the person and that the person would still get enough of the other macronutrients they need (protein, complex carbs, veggies etc.) from the rest of their calories.

By healthy fats, I mean such as raw nuts and seeds, either as whole kernels, cold-pressed oils or pure butters, a focus on Omega 3s, fish oils, etc.

Of course, no trans fats, little saturated fat, less Omega 6s, etc.

The problem is that your underlying assumptions are highly unlikely, if not impossible. Something's got to give. You would either be eating too many calories, resulting in weight gain, or you would be missing out on protein or complex carbs.

 

[kathryn]

Something's got to give. You would either be eating too many calories, resulting in weight gain, or you would be missing out on protein or complex carbs.

That's so true!

The healthiest populations on Earth eat a diet with something like 60% or more of calories from carbs. If you did 50-60% from fat, where would carbs and protein fit in?

 

[atiman]

I believe that Atkins ratio is about 60 % fat. The carbs are about 10% and protein 30%. So, the carbs in this WOE is what "gives" to make it work.

 

[Afreet]

Has anyone read or tried "Ultrametabolism"? My SO has been test-driving that diet, and has already lost some weight, but when we enter his data into MyFitnessPal the fat is pretty high - maybe 40-50%, sometimes a little lower.

It's pretty much all monounsaturated/"healthy" fats, like avocado, olive oil, nuts and seeds. The higher fat content works wonders to curb his appetite, and he doesn't have to count carbs or protein grams or anything. The foods he eats seem pretty healthy to me: all whole plant foods, with some tofu and the occasional piece of fish (SO is an omnivore - NOT a flexitarian, just a straight-up animal-eatin' omnivore).

Anyway, yeah: he reports no hunger, is consuming fewer calories in spite of the high fat content, and is losing weight and feeling faboo. I pretty much perish of starvation (feels like - if I try to stick to anything less than 30-40% fat.

I often worry that it might be too much, but I tend to binge like crazy if I dip below my magic 30% number, so I just throw caution to the wind and eat the dang almonds.

*BTW, the diet portion of Ultrametabolism is sane and reasonable, but we're just ignoring the bits about supplements and laxatives.

 

[Gayle]

My diet falls in around the 50% fat range on a daily basis...works for me.

All my fats are come from olive oil, coconut oil, butter & animal fats (I don't buy that these are bad), nuts, seeds, fish oil...you get the idea. NONE of the fake fats (no canola, etc).

I do however, pretty heavily restrict my intake of wheat products and sugar...my one weakness in this area is beer.

If you're looking for a diet, I have paleo/traditional diet leanings. Check out the Food Renegade - www.foodrenegade.com.

ETA: Also, check out the movie Fat Head (available on Netflix). It has two themes: 1) To debunk Morgan Spurlock's tactics and basis in Supersize Me as junk journalism. 2) To argue against the notion that the low fat diet is actually good for you. Gives a lot of historical basis for what's being touted as healthy. Whether or not you buy into it, it's an entertaining movie.