Q: Does consumption of fat cause weight gain? The Zone books indicate fat has no impact on insulin. Does that mean consumption of fat has no impact on weight gain?
A: Dietary fat has no impact on insulin levels. It is the excess insulin that makes you fat and keeps you fat. However, if you consume excessive fat in a meal, it will prevent release of stored fat since you have more than adequate energy from the extra fat in that meal. This is why the Zone Diet contains only about 30 percent of the calories as fat so it would be considered a low-fat diet with adequate protein (30 percent of calories)and moderate levels (40 percent of calories) of low glycemic-load carbohydrates.