Ask the expert: can natural fats help me lose weight?

I’m overweight and have a lot of fat, particularly around the abdomen. I’ve read online that a diet rich in natural fats could help with weight loss. Is this true?

High-fat foods such as ghee, butter, coconut oil and egg yolks are misunderstood. They are constantly blamed for making us gain weight and causing high cholesterol, while processed foods like high-fibre biscuits, brown bread, sugar-soaked cereal bars and breakfast cereals are considered healthy because they are low in fat and calories.

What you need to remember is that it is the quality and source of the fat and calories that matter. Fats are good for your metabolism. About 80 per cent of your hormones are made up of cholesterol, so you need good fats to regulate normal hormone function.

Our body processes natural fat differently from highly processed low-fat junk. So naturally high-fat egg yolks will help your metabolism, restore hormonal balance and help your gut health too. All of this will help kick-start the process of slimming down.

Start your day with a spoonful of healthy fat – such as good-quality coconut oil – to get your body fat-adapted. This means making your body use fat as a fuel to give you energy instead of relying on carbohydrates.

It may take a while for you to notice the changes in your body after you make this switch, but the results will be phenomenal.