Low Carb Beats Low Fat? Does It Even Matter?

Posted on July 17, 2008

A new study being published today in the New England Journal of Medicine claims that a low carbohydrate diet will be healthier for you than a low fat diet. According to the study, the participants who were on the low-carb plan lost an average of 10.3 pounds over 2 years, and those on the low-fat plan lost an average of 6.5 pounds.

With this new study coming out, all the so-called “low-carbers” out there are screaming that they are vindicated. They and Dr. Atkins were right all along. Of course, the media jumps into the fray as well and their headlines scream the same thing: “Low-Carb Beats Low-Fat!” Here are my thoughts on the study and its effects on all of us trying to get healthier:

I understand that a low-carb diet plan can and does work for some people. That is great for them. If that is the only thing they do to prevent chronic disease in their lives then I applaud them. At least they are doing something. I hope they stick with it and remain healthy. Do I think that a low-carb plan is the only “right” way to be healthier? Absolutely not.

I believe in carbs. I need them. I’m a triathlete (maybe just a wannabe, but a triathlete, nonetheless). For endurance athletes, carbohydrates are necessary. You just have to make sure you get them from the right sources.

Another observation I have based on this study is that the difference between a low-carb plan and other plans is not as huge as the headlines and “low-carbers” would have you believe. Losing 10.3 pounds over 2 years versus losing 6.5 over 2 years does not seem to me to be a huge difference. I understand statistics (a little) and know that the difference must have been “significant.” For me, though, it comes down to preference. It comes down to what healthy lifestyle changes will people commit to for the rest of their lives. If they stick to a healthy eating and exercise plan, they will be just fine.

I think the “diet debate” will continue forever. There’s no question that you can get healthier by limiting carbohydrates and/or limiting fat. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you do something to get yourself healthier.

It seems that every proponent of a “diet” has all the evidence in the world to back it up. Of course they do…they are trying to make money. We all know the basics of getting healthier. A lot of diet plans are just “gimmicks” and probably won’t help you. You know what you need to do to get healthier. A lot of times all you need is more motivation.

Again, I am all about people getting healthier. Do what works for you. Make changes that you can stick with. If you don’t, the low-carb, low-fat, or low-whatever plan will do you no good. Remember that you don’t have to get healthy in one day. It takes time, patience and determination.

Here’s an article talking about the low-carb/low-fat study.

Here’s an article blasting the study.

My conclusion: Diet (By diet I mean low-carb, low-fat, etc.) doesn’t matter. Just eat healthy foods, don’t eat too much, and get plenty of physical activity and you will be fine. There is no “right” or “absolute” way to get healthier. Just stick to the basics.