It is common to believe that a healthy diet is one that is low in fat. And though there’s a chance you might be eat too much fatthere are also important reasons to be sure that your diet contains a sufficient amount of healthy fats. In fact, new evidence shows that switching to a diet rich in adequate fats may be the best eating habit for people with fatty liver.
In a randomized controlled study, data were collected from 165 people between the ages of 18 and 78 who had type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, according to findings being presented at the International Liver Congress (ILC) 2022 at through Medscape. During the study, 110 participants were asked to follow a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet for a period of six months, while 55 participants followed a low-fat diet. All the participants were told that when they ate, their goal was not to lose weight or restrict their calories, but to eat until they were satisfied and full.
Participants eating a low-carb, high-fat diet ended up getting 61% of their calories from fat, which Camilla Dalby Hansen, who presented the findings, explained is “a lot of fat and corresponds to a quarter of a liter of olive oil a day.” Dalby Hansen also noted that the participants “really had to change their thinking a lot, because it was hard for them to start eating all these fats, especially since we’ve all been told for decades that it’s not good.”
However, contrary to what many have been led to believe when it comes to fats being unhealthy, at the end of six months, the study authors found that a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet “improved control of diabetes, reduced fat in the liver and, although [participants in the study were] eating as many calories as they were used to until they were full, they lost 5.8% of body weight,” said Dalby Hansen.
Dalby Hansen also noted: “Basically, if you have fat in your liver, you will benefit from eating fat.”
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At the same time, Amanda Lane, MS, RD, CDCESfounder of Healthy Lane NutritionHe says Eat this, not that!“While the study findings are understood metabolically, it’s important to think about how they apply in everyday life.”
Perhaps that’s why Lane says that when it comes to adding fat to your own diet, you need to consider the fact that “not all fats are created equal.” Lane explains that “highly processed fats like trans fats or even saturated fats are not as healthy for the body as unsaturated fats.”
When it comes to ideal options for unsaturated fats, Lane suggests avocado, walnuts, and salmon, as well as olives and olive oil.
To find even more fatty foods you might want to add to your next meal, be sure to read The 20 best high-fat foods for weight loss.
Desiree O
Desirée O is a freelance writer who covers lifestyle, food and nutrition news, among other topics. read more
