It was the late 1940s that scientists started seeing correlations between high-fat diets and high cholesterol. And while there was weight (no pun intended) to their suggestions, our view of fats has evolved into a much more positive landscape.

What is it?

This diet plan restricts fat and often saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, too. You can eat lean meats, lower fat dairy, healthy oils, and avoid fried foods.

Myth one

As long as it’s low fat, you can eat what you want

‘A lot of people believe this. And food manufacturing has made many low-fat products more unhealthy,’ says nutritionist Martin MacDonald. ‘Often “low fat” processed foods are high in sugar,’ adds Collier.

Myth two

Fat makes you fat

Body fat is made out of fat, so what’s the issue here? It’s not that simple, says Dr Dieter: ‘You can consume a decent amount of fat and stay lean – if it fits your calorie requirement.’

Myth three

All saturated fat is bad

Confusingly, as we learn more about how oxidised fats (a chemical reaction which creates harmful free radicals) cause heart disease, advice on sat fats is changing. Collier says: ‘Saturated fats don’t oxidise, so choose fats from good, unprocessed sources, and avoid trans fats.’