Low-fat diet

USDA's original Food Pyramid
MyPlate replaced the Food Pyramid since 2011

A low-fat diet is one that restricts fat, and often saturated fat and cholesterol as well. Low-fat diets are intended to reduce the occurrence of conditions such as heart disease and obesity. For weight loss, they perform similarly to a low-carbohydrate diet, since macronutrient composition does not determine weight loss success.[1] Fat provides nine calories per gram while carbohydrates and protein each provide four calories per gram. The Institute of Medicine recommends limiting fat intake to 35% of total calories to control saturated fat intake.[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference endo was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Makris A, Foster GD (December 1, 2002). "Dietary Approaches to the Treatment of Obesity". Psychiatr Clin North Am. 34 (4): 813–27. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2011.08.004. PMC 3222874. PMID 22098806.