The Purpose Of A Fat-restricted Diet

Fat-restricted diet serves as a general term for low-fat, nonfat and fat-free diets. Foods that contain less than 3 g of fat per serving are classed as low fat. Other general guidelines for fat-restricted diet include consuming less than 3 tsp. of oil per day, discarding of excess oils that come from cooked meat and avoiding fried foods. This type of diet encourages that you eat small frequent meals rather that two or three large meals per day.

Managing Pancreatitis and Gallbladder Disease

A fat-restricted diet can help patients who suffer from pancreatitis and gallbladder disease. Pancreatitis refers to the inflammation of the pancreas and gallbladder problems. The Ohio State University recommends the use of fat-restricted diet to prevent the occurrence of symptom attacks, such as abdominal pains, associated with these problems. Foods for patients with pancreatitis and gallbladder diseases include low-fat or nonfat dairy products, lean meats, turkey and chicken without the skin, fish packed in water, shellfish, vegetables, starches and breads, fruits and soups with fat-free broth or skim milk. However, you should avoid high-fat foods and greasy foods, nuts, olives, coconut, salad oils and dressings, chocolate, ice cream and pastries in the fat-restricted diet.

Controlling Digestive Problems

Having a fat-restricted diet, can help you if you suffer from gastroparesis, a digestive problem where the stomach cannot empty food contents properly. This results in symptoms such as heartburn, nausea and occasional vomiting, abdominal discomfort and bloating, early feeling of fullness or satiety, loss of appetite and weight loss. Patients with gastroparesis should change their eating habits to a fat-restricted diet to control the symptoms associated with this problem, notes the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Fat slows down digestion, leading to more symptoms of gastroparesis.

Decrease the Risk for Breast Cancer Relapse

Post-menopausal women who adhere to a low-fat diet tend to have a lesser risk for breast cancer relapse compared to those women who never stick to this kind of diet. As mentioned by the National Cancer Institute, women who use the fat-restricted diet regimen have a 24 percent decrease in their overall breast cancer recurrence risk compared to those who never restrict the fat content in their diet.

Weight Loss

Fat-restricted or low-fat diets can help you if you want to lose weight. A study published by "The Journal of Nutrition" in March 2004 notes that low-fat diets with high protein content may serve as an effective weight-reduction strategy for patients who want to lose weight. In addition to weight loss, the study found this type of diet can also result in decreased cholesterol, insulin and uric acid levels. However, further studies and clinical trials are necessary to establish the effectiveness and the safety of this kind of weight loss diet for patients who want to trim excess weight.