Health Library Very Low-Fat Diets for Weight LossFrom Healthwise

Although there are many weight-loss diets, statistics show that most people who lose weight on a diet regain that weight, and sometimes gain more. The best ways to stay healthy are eating well and being physically active.

Very low-fat diets do not follow the USDA guidelines for healthy eating.

The low-fat eating concept limits eating fats that can lead to weight gain, high cholesterol levels, and heart disease.

You do need some fat in your diet for energy and to help absorb vitamins. Popular low-fat programs such as the Life Choice Diet (Ornish) and Pritikin suggest only 10% of your daily calories come from fat.

Author Dean Ornish, MD, suggests people make lifetime changes that include very low-fat eating habits, exercise, and stress management.

Basic concept

Ornish promotes low-fat vegetarian eating to reverse or prevent heart disease. Exercising and managing stress are equally important in this lifestyle program.

How it works

There are two versions of the Life Choice Diet. The "reversal diet" is for people who have diagnosed heart disease or high cholesterol levels. Because you are trying to reverse damage to your body, you must follow strict guidelines. The "prevention diet" is less structured. You still eat a diet very low in fat, but you have more flexibility in what you can eat.

Guidelines for both versions of Ornish's diet include eating a vegetarian diet high in complex carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in their natural forms). About 10% of your calories come from fat in the reversal diet. You may have more fat in the prevention diet as long as your weight or your cholesterol levels don't begin to rise. Oils are limited to 3 teaspoons a day. Mostly, you eat foods that have less than 3 grams of fat per serving, and stay away from saturated fat and sugar.

On the menu

• High-fiber grains, legumes (beans and peas)
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Nonfat dairy products
• Egg whites
• Small amounts of alcohol

Off the menu

• Meat and all animal products
• Caffeine
• Nuts, seeds, olives
• Chocolate, coconut
• Avocado
• Oils, except for small amounts of canola oil for cooking

Nathan Pritikin, PhD, developed the Pritikin diet in the 1970s. It’s similar to the Ornish program, with no more than 10% of calories coming from fat. Pritikin does allow some lean meat and seafood that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Basic concept

Pritikin encourages eating natural, nutrient-rich, high-fiber foods. Daily exercise is part of the program.

How it works

The theory is that when you limit fat to 10% of your daily calories, there’s no need to count calories. Eat often to keep from feeling hungry—six or seven meals a day. You can eat as much as you want of whole grains, vegetables, and fruit. Exercise every day: For example, take a 45-minute walk.

On the menu

• Whole grains
• Unprocessed vegetables
• Unprocessed fruits
• Nonfat dairy products
• Egg whites
• Lean meats
• Omega-3 fatty acids (fat like that found in fish) in very small amounts

Off the menu

• White pasta
• White bread
• Egg yolks
• Caffeine
• Processed foods
• Most fats

For more information, see the topic Healthy Weight in Related Topics.

• Healthy Weight

Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS	Last Updated: February 23, 2007
Medical Review:	Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Diabetes Educator
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