Myth: Fat makes you fat.
Truth: You need fat to burn fat.
The human body NEEDS fat. Fat is one of 3 fuel sources the body can use.
Fat is imperative for:
- Healthy cholesterol levels
- Optimal liver and gallbladder function
- Healthy hormone balance
- Cell wall integrity (permeability) {see cell wall illustration above}
- Production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins
And remember, fat is the main slow burning, long acting fuel. Think glucose = twigs on a fire and fat = logs on a fire. Which would you prefer to keep you warm?
Thus, fats are absolutely necessary for healthy blood sugar regulation and optimal liver/gallbladder function and therefore optimal weight control. Most of my clients initially associate eating fat with gaining fat, but this cannot be further from the truth. I will say that if you increase your healthy fat intake and continue to eat processed carbohydrates and grains, you will most likely gain weight.
Shoot to eliminate all processed forms of carbohydrates and increase you intake of avocado, properly prepared nuts/seeds, organic butter from grass-fed cows, organic virgin coconut oil, cold-pressed flax oil, wild fatty fish, organic grass-fed animals, etc.
Caveat!
Not all fat sources are created equal. There is a difference in the QUALITY of the fats available to us.
Good Fats vs. Bad Fats
The difference between a good fat and a bad fat is in the way they are processed, not in the inherent nature of their source. {Exceptions: canola, soy and cottonseed oils – not recommended…ever} “Bad fats” are extracted from their sources using high heat and/or chemical solvents leaving the oils rancid, dead and potentially toxic to the human body. { Check this out – How It’s Made- Canola Oil }
The body needs a balance of the various components of saturated and unsaturated fats.
How do you know the difference between a Good and Bad fat?
When reading food labels (please, read food labels my friends! You will be amazed at what you find…), look for these terms…
Good Fats:
Cold Pressed / Unrefined / Organic / Extra Virgin / Expeller Pressed
Bad Fats:
Hydrogenated / Partially hydrogenated / Cold “processed” (dirty trick!)
Our chose of fats and oils is one of extreme importance. Most people, especially infants and children, benefit from more fat in the diet rather than less, but the fats we eat must be chosen with care. Avoid all processed foods containing newfangled hydrogenated fats and polyunsaturated oils. Instead, use traditional vegetable oils like extra virgin olive oil and small amounts of unrefined flaxseed oil (never heat flax oil or any other omega 3 oils.) Acquaint yourself with the merits of coconut oil for baking and smoothies. Eat egg yolks and other animal fats with the proteins to which they are attached making sure to choose organic, grass-fed sources whenever possible. And finally, use as much good quality butter as you like, with the happy assurance that it is a wholesome, (and indeed an essential) food for you and your whole family.
Did I just make everyone’s dreams come true?
