The truth about FAT!
There are many myths about fat:
- Fat makes us fat!
- Fat contributes to heart disease and diabetes.
- Vegetable oils are good.
- Saturated fat is bad.
As implied, these are all myths. Good fats help you become and remain healthy, vibrant and your ideal weight and body fat. They also improve your cholesterol readings, and reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, dementia and type 2 diabetes. Fat is a very important part of our body. Our body is between 15 and 30% fat. That fat is used to build and maintain cell walls. Every one of your 10 trillion cells needs high-quality fat. Good fat is your friend.
The original studies that demonized fat and led to the hysterical ‘low-fat’ movement were flawed. Low fat diets almost always mean we eat high amounts of refined carbohydrate (especially sugar), i.e. low fat, high carb (LFHC). These LFHC diets contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, insulin resistance, and many other problems. It is sugar, not fat that is the real culprit that makes us unwell, unhappy and overweight.
Sources of good fats include:
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Avocados
- Fatty fish (wild salmon, herring, sardines, and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fats)
- Nuts (macadamia, walnuts, pecans, almonds, but not peanuts)
- Seeds (sesame, chia, pumpkin)
- Sustainable or grass-fed animal products (meat, milk).
- Extra virgin coconut butter/oil. However, make sure you use virgin coconut oil as the other type (partially hydrogenated coconut oil) is just as harmful as other highly processed oils containing trans fats. Virgin coconut oil has potential antioxidant properties.
