What’s the first thing that you do when you go on a diet? You cut out as much fat so that you can eliminate some on your body. Before you get rid of all the fat in your diet, here are a few facts that you need to know.
All fats are not bad. In fact, a certain portion of your diet needs to consist of fat. Fatty acids are used by the body to repair and protect nerves, organs, the brain, cells and other parts of the body. These fatty acids are obtained from the foods that we eat and the oils that we choose.
Kids need healthy fats to grow and develop properly. Fats are essential for brain development, helping the brain form connections that are necessary for learning. They are also important for vision and the absorption of some vitamins. Kids who get enough fat in their diets are more likely to have a healthy weight and to be physically active.
It is not just the fats in foods that cause obesity. It is a combination of other diet components and getting physical activity. Restricting fats to an unhealthy level will help you hold on to more fat on your body. Yes, it has the opposite of the desired effect.
The next time that you look at the nutritional information on food boxes and bags in the grocery store, go armed with an idea of what types of fats you need and what types you can leave behind.
Unsaturated fats – Types of unsaturated fats that you might see mentioned are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats are in a liquid state at room temperature. Consider them your olive oil, canola oil and oils made from nuts and seeds like safflower, almond and sesame. Omega-3 fatty acids fall into this category. Eating salmon three times a week will give you a sufficient dose of healthy oils for cardiovascular health.
Saturated fats – Most of these fats come from animal sources. Eating fatty cuts of meat especially red meat increase your intake of saturated fat. These fats are solid at room temperature. Think of lard, vegetable oil and tropical oils in this category. Saturated fats increase bad cholesterol levels.
Trans fats – Everyone knows about these. They are partially hydrogenated fats manufactured for increased shelf life. By heating liquid oils in the presence of hydrogen, the oils become solid like margarines.
Healthy fats
Most people are not familiar with the term “healthy fats.” The reason for this is that, for a very long time, the only type of fat considered to be healthy was the polyunsaturated kind found in vegetable oils. However, research over the past few years has shown that some other types of fat can also be good for you.
Healthy fats are those that have beneficial effects on health. They include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, as well as some saturated fats. Some of the best sources of healthy fats are salmon, flax seed, nuts, avocado, fatty fish and other omega-3 sources.
One of the benefits of consuming healthy fats is that they can help to reduce your risk of heart disease. This is because they help to lower bad cholesterol levels and increase good cholesterol levels. They can also help to reduce inflammation, which is a major contributor to heart disease.
Healthy fats can also boost your mood and cognitive function. They do this by increasing levels of serotonin, which is a mood-boosting hormone. They can also improve cognitive function by helping to protect your brain from age-related decline.
Now you know the truth about fats
It’s time to bust the myth that all fats are bad for you. In fact, some fats are essential for a healthy diet and help children grow and develop properly. So, the next time you’re at the grocery store, be sure to stock up on healthy fats like Omega-3s fatty acids, nuts, and seeds. And when it comes to your own health or the health of your family, always remember: know your fats!
Know your fats to make healthy informed choices for yourself and your family.
