Why Some Non-Fat Foods May Backfire

Nov. 21 -- If you are trying to eat a healthy diet by cutting out most fats, you might be missing out on some major vitamins. Fascinating research on non-fat foods finds sometimes the best intentions may backfire.

A few years ago non-fat products exploded on the scene especially non-fat salad dressings. The message to dieter's was clear - if you want to slim down eat lots of rabbit food and cut back on fat and calories. UCSF nutritionist Marian Deveraux says fear of fat has now become an unfortunate part our culture.

Marian Deveraux, R.D./UCSF nutritionist: "Fat is really something we shouldn't be scared of because there are certain elements of fat that are essential for our well being."

New research finds eating your salads with non-fat dressings could backfire. Especially if you're cutting lots of fat in the rest of your diet. Because without fat, your body can't absorb critical nutrients and vitamins.

Marian Deveraux, R.D.: "The fat soluble vitamins do require a little bit of fat"

Researchers added one quarter of an avocado to a mixed green salad with non-fat dressing. While it's true avocados are relatively high in fat, it is heart-healthy unsaturated fat.

In the study, scientists took blood samples of people eating the salads before and after adding the avocado.

The results - with avocado, subjects absorbed seven times more lutein - important to eye and heart health - and nearly 18 times more beta carotene - linked to lower cancer rates. A little fat also helps absorption of include lycopene and vitamin E.

And it doesn't take much fat.

Marian Deveraux, R.D.: "The amount of absorption isn't increased by the amount of fat it can be added in a more nutritious like mono unsaturated fats with nuts, olives maybe even some flax seeds.

The message is clear, fat in small doses can not only be healthy - but essential.

Nutritionists say, look at the overall fat content of a meal keeping most foods low in fat, and just a mall amount of unsaturated fat for vitamin absorption.

Research Summary

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