Full-fat dairy not bad says Noakes

Recent media reports that cast doubt about the health benefits of high-fat yogurt and cream based on alleged statements by Prof Tim Noakes prompted the MPO to contact him directly to establish the facts. Prof Noakes replied that the matter had been taken up with the publication in question and that the journalist involved had been reported to the Press Council.

Mr Jonno Proudfoot, co-author of The Real Meal Revolution submitted the following statement to the MPO: “From the first publication of The Real Meal Revolution, we (the authors) have advised people who are struggling to lose weight that the omission of dairy can accelerate weight loss. We wanted to make this clearer on our website. Two weeks ago, dairy was moved from the green list to the orange list and then moved back to green almost immediately as it created confusion. We have now added a link to the page, just above dairy, to explain when it is appropriate for someone who is Banting to cut back. Tim Noakes and his co-authors are proponents of a high-fat diet. We have never said that full-fat dairy is bad or advised anyone that it could detrimental to one’s health. Whoever wrote this is guilty of a misquote or a misunderstanding,” he said.