CONFUSED by this week's news that a low-fat diet may not help prevent cancer and heart disease after all?

Beth Hobson was.

"I've been on a low-fat diet for four years now," said the 44-year-old part-time worker at a fitness center in Pasadena, Md. "Does that mean I can go back to eating full saturated fats? I should go home and eat a pizza tonight?"

By no means, scientists said Wednesday.

The real culprits in our diets, they say, are the hardened fats present in margarine and shortening as well as saturated fats in meat.

In addition, people seeking healthy lifestyles should look beyond eliminating fat and actively incorporate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and exercise.

Read about people's reactions to study findings related to the low fat diet at http://www.insidebayarea.com/bayarealiving/ci_3503932.