fats: good or bad?

Fat equals bad. Well at least that’s what our society believes. We know that fat causes us to have heart problems, diabetes, arthritis and an expanding waistline. Therefore, when we see a product labeled fat free or low fat, we reach for it. We are like moths to a flame. However, with the popularity of these non-fat foods, why then are our obesity rates are climbing while heart disease sits as the number one cause of death in America? I think the main reason for this discrepancy is that we are not aware of the different types of fat that exist in our food. There are both good fats and bad fats. Yes you heard me correctly… THERE ARE GOOD FATS! Good fat is way better than non-fat because it actually has health benefits, not to mention it tastes better too!

Let me break it down for you. Unsaturated fats are called good fats because they can improve blood cholesterol levels, ease inflammation, stabilize heart rhythms, and play a number of other beneficial roles. Unsaturated fats are found in plants, such as vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds. These fats are liquid at room temperature. The two types of unsaturated fat are called monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats are found in high concentrations in canola, peanut, and olive oils, avocados. They are also in nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans, and seeds such as pumpkin and sesame. Polyunsaturated fats are found in oils such as sunflower, corn, soybean, and flaxseed. They are also found in foods such as walnuts, flax seeds, and fish. Omega-3 fats are an important type of polyunsaturated fat. The body can't make these, so they must come from food. An excellent way to get omega-3 fats is by eating fish two or three times a week. Good plant sources of omega-3 fats include chia, flax seeds, walnuts, and oils such as flaxseed, canola, and soybean. So don’t be afraid to fill up on all these wonderful foods!

Bad fats are the ones that we need to watch for, they are the types of fat that cause an increase in cholesterol, and heart problems. Bad fats include saturated and trans fat. Saturated fat is found mostly in foods from animals including beef, veal, lamb, pork, lard, poultry fat, butter, cream, milk, cheeses and other dairy products made from whole and 2 percent milk. All of these foods not only contain saturated fat, but they also contain dietary cholesterol. Some plants also contain saturated fat, they include coconut, coconut oil, palm / palm kernel oil, and cocoa butter. The other bad fat, trans fat (also called hydrogenated fat) is found in many processed foods. These foods undergo a chemical process called hydrogenation. This process is done to increase the shelf life and maintain the flavor of the food. Trans fat can be found in vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, cookies, snack foods, and other foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils. Unlike other fats, the majority of trans fat is formed when food manufacturers turn liquid oils into solid fats like shortening and hard margarine. Both trans fat and saturated fat need to be eaten in moderation.

Now with this new understanding of the difference between good fat and bad fat, it is important to blow out the flame! Instead of being drawn to these fat free labels on the front of the package, flip the product over and look at the Nutrition Facts panel, and choose the food with the lower amounts of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Health experts recommend that you keep your intake of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol as low as possible while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3045789

So, enjoy your unsaturated fats, they are good for you!

Audrey - Corporate Sales