The fat fight: Study fuels row over UK, U.S. diet guidelines

Wow...spotlighting on Sugars and Carbohydrates? No kidding

Worth watching:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM&ab_channel=UniversityofCaliforniaTelevision(UCTV)

They need to define "fat" a bit better. The current guidelines that have been in place since the 70s completely demonize all fats when really the only fat that should be absolutely avoided is trans-fat. Naturally occurring fats are essential for humans. 10% daily fat intake is way too low and will lead to poor hormone production among other things. There's a reason why high-fat, low-carb diets cause people to shed lbs and have good lipid profiles - It's how humans have eaten for thousands of years.

I drank low-fat (低脂肪) or skim milk (無脂肪) for years, in trying to limit my fat intake. But I've read a lot of science over the past few years in line with that described in this article, and I stopped drinking low fat milk a couple of years ago, and when I do drink milk (which is only in my coffee really), I use regular fat milk now.

zippy:

They need to define "fat" a bit better. The current guidelines that have been in place since the 70s completely demonize all fats when really the only fat that should be absolutely avoided is trans-fat

I'd also try to cut down on saturated fat too. I try to get my fats from a variety of good sources, eg nuts without added sugar, salt or oil, avocados, flax seed oil and also shiso oil. The last two are getting so easy to find in Japan now. For cooking, I use sesame oil, canola oil or olive oil.

I try to avoid any Japanese cookies as they invariably contain shortening (the Japanese manufacturers are VERY vague when it comes to the labelling of fats). The lack of knowledge in Japan when it comes to trans-fat is astounding. And no, margarine doesn't have to contain trans-fat or hydrogenated fats - I've seen them back home.

At the end of the day, whether you're a vegan like me, or a non-vegetarian, it's best to eat sensibly, in reasonable portions, eat a variety of foods with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and exercise regularly. Common sense. People need to read up on all this and stop believing in myths (eg calcium only comes from milk - therefore we MUST drink milk - by all means drink it if you want but don't make it out that it's essential like fruit, veg and exercise).

The fat fight isn't going to be over for a long time to come. A low fat diet generally is not a good idea. A bit of shortening in your cookies won't harm you, unless you insist on binging on them [cookies]. "there is now mounting evidence that eating some saturated fats may actually help you lose weight and be good for the heart." quote from a recent article and here is the link:http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29616418

The bottom line as always is eat a variety of foods in moderation. If you are serious about your health think about the obesity rates in the US (>30%) and the UK (>23%), for example, and compare them with the much lower rates in Vietnam (1.7%) and Japan (4%) and wonder why. [The numbers may be slightly off, please don't hold me accountable]

The lack of knowledge in Japan when it comes to trans-fat is astounding.

You may want to tell Japanese trans-fat chemical componets are similar to plastic. This message will get through them very quickly how bad it is. In US, many health conciencious consumers are switching back to butter from margarine for toast.

For cooking, I use sesame oil, canola oil or olive oil.

Olive oil should not be used for high heat cooking such as stir frying. Olive oil is healthy only in low temperature like a salad dressing. Otherwise it may become a cancer causing agent.

In US, many health conciencious consumers are switching back to butter from margarine for toast.

Interesting. I quote from Jean Harper's book:

It's almost incredible that Americans' number one source of fat is margarine. Perhaps that helps explain why we are number seventeen among nations in life expectancy. Margarine in the United States is also the prime carrier of trans fatty acids that make cells so grotesque they cannot function normally. A Harvard study by Dr. Willet found that women who ate tour or more teaspoons of margarine a day had a 66% higher risk of heart disease than women who ate less than one teaspoon a month. A Greek study found that cooking with margarine increased the risk of heart disease by nearly 90%. Dr. Willet's studies also suggest that women who eat high levels of trans fatty acids are more vulnerable to breast cancer and men to prostate cancer. And, of course, anything that burdens the body with more free radicals is responsible for a much longer list of sins, including premature aging.

As a matter of fact my American friends quit eating margarine about 40 years ago, and yes, it takes time for the word to spread it seems.

Finally, I am led to believe that extra virgin oil is perfect for stir frying

And why is canola oil bad for you? Read here: http://www.undergroundhealth.com/why-you-should-really-stay-away-from-canola-oil/