Controversial diet: Dees turn to fat for fitness !

A CONTROVERSIAL high-fat diet has Melbourne players eating scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast as the Demons attempt to gain a competitive edge on their rivals.

The playing group has adopted a low carbohydrate, high fat (LCHF) diet over the past six weeks with the benefits said to include weight loss, quicker recovery and increased energy levels.

The diet flies in the face of the traditional theory that carbohydrates are an essential fuel source for athletes. While some dieticians and doctors support the diet, others have criticised it.

Tim Noakes, a South African professor of exercise and sports science at the University of Cape Town, is a huge advocate of the diet, with some members of the Australian cricket team adopting the regime, including all-rounder Shane Watson.

"Essentially what it's about is using your fat stores as your energy replacement. So instead of using carbohydrates as your primary energy source, you're utilising your fat stores, which are about 10 times more significant then your carbohydrate stores.

"There's no doubt there are other players in the AFL and clubs doing a similar thing."

The LCHF diet means players must avoid foods such as bread, cereals, pasta, potatoes, rice, sugar and processed foods.

A typical breakfast is scrambled eggs, bacon and avocado, while lunch and dinner consists of a protein (chicken, fish, red meat) with the fat left on, salad and vegetables.

To help the players adjust to the new meal plan, the club is now providing breakfast three days a week, and lunch four times a week.

Players must become "fat-adapted" before they begin to reap the benefits of the diet but already the Demons are starting to feel the benefits.

"Anecdotally already players are telling us they feel better on the diet and that they're recovering quicker," Misson said.

"They haven't had a drop in energy because they've decreased their carbohydrate intake.

More on this story here.

Eddie