01/15/2026
Words from our registered dietician, Jennifer Cumpian.
âFor over a decade, research has become increasingly clear that overconsumption of carbohydrate versus fat has a more significant impact on specific markers related to cardiac and metabolic health. The previous dietary guidelines recommended a proportion of carbohydrate in the diet that is inconsistent with available research. What youâre seeing in the new guidelines is a recommendation to shift some of that excess carbohydrate to fat (if we are consuming less carbohydrate we are inevitably consuming more protein, fat, or in most cases both). A modest decrease in carbohydrate intake and subsequent increase in fat intake has consistently demonstrated improvement in key markers that we associate with cardiac and metabolic health.
Letâs take whole milk as an example. When we provide a child (or adult) with fat-free or low fat milk vs whole milk, what do we notice? We notice decreased satiety, which results in increased, and often, excess calorie intake. We also notice increased simple sugar intake because many low-fat varieties of foods have sugar added to improve taste. Not surprisingly, we noticed a significant increase in added sugar post- the low-fat diet trend era. Low fat yogurt, for example, typically contains more added sugar than full-fat yogurt. There are exceptions to the rule of course, but thatâs the general principle.
So bottom line, itâs not really about the butter and steak, full-fat dairy or whatever else the media is doing a pretty poor job of letting on. Itâs about a shift thatâs needed in macronutrient intake and specifically a reduction in carbohydrate intake thatâs needed to occur to achieve the desirable markers that research has demonstrated when we consume less carbohydrate, and subsequently, more protein and fat.â
Hope that helps.
We love that we have a wonderful registered dietician on staff that is here for all your needs. If youâre interested in nutritional counseling for athletic purposes, overall health, diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease, Jennifer Cumpian has you covered. Just call our clinic to schedule!
