The suggestion to eat low-fat foods has been a consistent focus in most health media, especially for weight loss and heart-healthy eating. Many weight-loss plans also stress the importance of low-fat foods as a primary strategy to losing weight. Depending on the type of fat you eat, you can have very different health reactions -- some good, some bad.
Dietary Fat and Weight Loss
For maximum health, you should avoid becoming overweight or obese. Eating low-fat foods may help you shed pounds, but the fat content of foods is not the main factor in losing weight. When it comes to losing weight, a misconception has been to focus on eating low-fat foods rather than low-calorie foods. What is more important to weight loss and diet than the amount of fat you eat is the amount of calories you eat versus the number of calories you burn through physical exertion. Most of the calories you do not burn are stored as fat. You may even argue that eating healthy fat helps to satisfy your appetite and is helpful for minimizing calorie intake.
Healthy Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Healthy fats are omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are derived from fish, purified fish oil, flaxseed oil and meal, hemp seeds, raw pumpkin seeds and walnuts. The Women to Women Clinic takes an in-depth look at the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids on health. These fats aid in preventing and treating illnesses ranging from Alzheimer's disease to stroke. Most Americans should eat more of this oil to improve their health. The recommended consumption ratio to eat is four parts omega-6 oil to one or two parts omega-3 fatty acids.
Limit Saturated Fats
It is good for your health to eat plant oils in moderation and minimize natural saturated fat, especially if you have blood pressure or heart problems. It is good to eat a modest amount of saturated fat even if you are perfectly healthy, because saturated fat can eventually clog your arteries and cause heart disease. Saturated fats are mostly found in meat, dairy and eggs, along with a few tropical plant sources like coconut and palm oil. The American Heart Association suggests limiting your consumption of saturated fats to 7 percent of your daily calories.
Eliminate Trans Fats
Many countries have banned this unhealthy and unnatural fat, which is also listed as partially hydrogenated oil. Trans fat is primarily used in processed foods to extend their shelf life. Many restaurant foods use trans fats in their food. Because of this, New York City has banned the use of trans fats in all restaurants. Most margarine contains partially hydrogenated oils as a main ingredient.
Member Comments