#Diets

The conventional wisdom that all high-fat foods are unhealthy is being challenged by nutritionists, as fresh research and expert guidance highlight the benefits of incorporating certain so-called “bad” fats—including whole eggs, full-fat dairy, butter, and coconut oil—into a balanced diet. These recommendations, based on recent dietitian insights, are changing the way Thai consumers should think about fat, flavor, and nutrition.

For decades, low-fat products dominated supermarket shelves in Thailand and worldwide, driven by public health campaigns and a lingering fear of cholesterol and heart disease. The 1980s and 1990s popularized low-fat snacks and skimmed dairy, often at the expense of taste and satiety. Today, however, scientists and dietitians agree that dietary fat is an essential macronutrient—it supports brain function, hormone production, and the absorption of vital fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). As such, not all fats are to be feared; instead, consumers are encouraged to pay close attention to the type and amount of fat in their meals (EatingWell).

A new wave of research is shaking up conventional thinking about protein and muscle gain, offering a message of reassurance for Thai fitness enthusiasts, bodybuilders, and athletes alike. Contrary to the widely held belief that certain types of dietary protein – like whey, casein, or plant-based proteins – are inherently superior for bulking up, new findings suggest that the kind of protein eaten may not make a significant difference for muscle growth, as long as total protein intake remains adequate.