Low-fat foods have become an integral part of the menu of people trying to get in better shape. However, according to health organizations, a low-fat diet can lead to "catastrophic" health consequences .
A new report from the British organization "National Obesity Forum" calls for a "major overhaul" of current recommendations for healthy eating and accuses major public health authorities of conspiring with major food companies.
"Promoting the use of low-fat foods is one of the biggest mistakes," said Dr. Azim Malhorta, a senior adviser at the organization.
According to him, there is an urgent need to change society's attitude towards obesity and diabetes .
Some of the arguments in the report relate to the claim that fat consumption does not lead to obesity, and saturated fat does not cause heart disease.
In addition, processed foods labeled "low fat" or "low cholesterol" should be avoided.
This also applies to starchy and refined foods instead of natural carbohydrates . Sugar consumption should also be limited as much as possible.
However, health authorities in England oppose this diet.
According to England's chief nutritionist, Dr. Alison Tedstone, advice to consume more fat is irresponsible and even potentially deadly .
Tedstone told BBC News that all this posed a risk to the nation's health and that the reaction of the scientific community to the report was hostile.
The Royal Society for Public Health also criticized the report, describing it as a "speculative manifesto" .