Oil is an essential ingredient in our three daily meals, and fats are also necessary components for our bodies. However, in our current diets, there is generally an overconsumption of fats. Eating too much oil not only leads to weight gain but is also unhealthy for the body. As a result, many people now avoid eating oil to lose weight, rarely adding oil when cooking and eating foods high in fat content. So, what happens to a person if they really stop eating oil for a long time?
25-year-old Wu, a young white-collar worker, is troubled by her weight. At 1.65 meters tall, she weighs a staggering 160 pounds. Due to her obesity, she feels very insecure. However, she loves food and doesn’t like to exercise, so she has not managed to lose weight. But when a child mistook her for being pregnant and offered her a seat on the bus, she finally made up her mind to lose weight.
Though Wu really wants to lose weight, she does not want to eat less or exercise more. Hence, she heard that not eating oil could help with weight loss and decided to give up oil to shed pounds.
Since she started her weight loss journey, she has almost stopped eating oil. Most of her meals are boiled, with meat and vegetables boiled and simply seasoned with a bit of pepper and salt. After just a month of this diet, Wu lost several pounds and felt extremely happy. After persisting for six months, Wu went from 160 pounds to 130 pounds.
Although Wu is now thinner, she appears malnourished with a sallow complexion. Fats are essential for our bodies. If one stops eating oil for an extended period, the body will lack fats, affecting the absorption of other nutrients and leading to deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A. Malnutrition can result in symptoms like cold sensitivity, hair loss, a pale complexion, and signs of aging.
Ligaments play a role in strengthening and stabilizing joints. In our daily lives, we need flexible joints for movement, and we also require ligaments. If one does not consume oil for a long time, ligaments will lack nourishment, leading to a decline in their function, making joints feel very uncomfortable. Ordinary activities like exercising and walking may easily result in ligament strains.
Oil contains linoleic acid, which is necessary for metabolism in our bodies. Long-term avoidance of oil can impact metabolism, affecting vision, leading to deteriorating eyesight and brain development and resulting in memory decline.
Not eating oil for long periods can affect the body’s endocrine system, causing hormonal imbalances, and can also impact emotions, leading to mood swings and irritability. Over time, this can disrupt the normal secretion of dopamine, making a person feel unhappy and lethargic.
While reducing oil in one’s diet can result in lower calorie intake and indeed lead to weight loss, a long-term lack of oil will deprive the body of essential nutrients, adversely impact metabolism, and could accelerate aging. Additionally, if one resumes eating oil, it can easily lead to gaining weight.
Therefore, it is crucial to include oil in our daily diet; one shouldn’t completely eliminate oil simply to lose weight. For those looking to shed pounds, it is better to eat smaller amounts of high-calorie foods, such as fried foods, barbecues, and hot pots, as consuming too much of these can lead to weight gain and excessive fat intake, which is unhealthy. The path to weight loss should involve consuming low-calorie foods while reducing high-calorie items and maintaining a satisfying level of fullness at each meal, along with increased physical activity and good lifestyle habits, allowing for gradual but healthy weight loss with less chance of regaining it.
