Dieters have been told for years to switch to low fat products and cut down on foods like butter, cheese and cream. But scientists who pored over 53 studies of more than 68,000 people said ditching pasta, bread and rice — or simply eating smaller portions — was more effective.
US researcher Dr Deirdre Tobias said: “There is no good evidence for recommending low fat diets. The existing science does not support them over other dietary interventions.”
Her team at Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, decided to measure weight loss over a year rather than just a few weeks.
On average low fat slimmers lost around 12 pounds while those opting for low carbs shed two or three pounds more. The results were published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal.
But Prof Tom Sanders, from King’s College London, told The Sun: “It still remains sensible advice to avoid excess fat and sugar.”
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