Day 281 – A Word on Fats

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When I was a kid, all you ever heard was “fat free” and “low fat”.  Yes, my memory is a little hazy but it seems like the diet trend back in the 90s was “low fat”.

Anyway, I used to perceive fat as something that, when you eat it, goes to your belly forever.

Nowadays, I don’t worry so much about “fat”.  I watch sugar, more than anything.  Nonetheless, here are some tips about fat for when you’re looking at the nutritional labels:

1.  Some fat is good; some fat is bad.  Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat is healthy for your heart.  They actually help in lowering cholesterol.

2.  Saturated fat is to be avoided, except in small volumes.

3.   Trans fat should be avoided all together.  This is an engineered fat that doesn’t occur in nature, and doesn’t sit well with our bodies.

4.  If the label only says “Fat” and doesn’t specify what kind of fat, look at the ingredients.  Any type of “hydrogenated oil” is, by definition, trans fat.  Fat from oily fish like sardines is generally very healthy for you.  Also, olive oil as a fat source is mostly polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat.

5.  Don’t eat too much of any fat.  Watch the percentages based on a 2,000 calorie diet.  I generally don’t stress too much over fat, but even so, too much of anything can be bad for you.

6.  At the same time, you need fat.  Your body needs it.  As a matter of fact, eating the right amount of healthy fat can help you maintain a healthy weight.

In summary, one of the best choices you can make, concerning fat, is to cut back on foods high in saturated fats, and completely forbid yourself from eating foods with trans fat.  Trust me on this one, trans fat is gross.

Related Articles

• Fat Content in Food: What You Need to Know (brighthub.com)
• Deepak Chopra: Weekly Health Tip: A Big Fat Question (huffingtonpost.com)
• How to Read a Nutrition Facts Label (sheriffemily.wordpress.com)
• Are you getting enough fat in your diet? (poweredbyzija.com)
• Good Fats, Bad Fats (everydayhealth.com)
• Low Fat Does Not Equal Weight Loss or Health (eatdrinkbetter.com)

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