High carb diet does not lead to weight gain

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A clinical trial of over 48,000 post-menopausal women suggests that a low fat diet with increased whole grains, fruits and vegetables does not lead to weight gain.
In recent years, the idea of the 'low carb' diet has become more popular - with fruits and grains being 'off menu'. Yet many health experts have long been urging us to eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grain. So what works best for keeping to a healthy weight? Researchers in Washington DC now shed some new light on this tricky issue.

They looked at data from the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial which covered nearly 49,000 postmenopausal women assigned to either a low fat dietary intervention or a self-selected dietary control group. Average follow up was 7.5 years. The intervention group received individual and group sessions on how to decrease fat and increase fruit, vegetable and whole grain intake. The control group received written dietary advice.

Women in the intervention group lost around five pounds in the first year and then maintained a modest weight loss, compared to the control group. Weight loss in either group was greatest for those who reduced their fat intake. A smaller trend in this direction was found for those who increased their fruit and vegetable intake. The findings suggest that a lower fat diet with higher fruit and vegetable consumption could offset the tendency to weight gain seen at the menopause.

Source
Journal of the American Medical Association 4th January 2005 Volume 295 pages 39-49

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