Give Fat A Chance

I am on a mission to clear up any misconceptions about FAT.

For years, it has been pounded into our heads that fat is BAD.  If you eat fat, you will get fat.  Don't eat fat.  Soon companies began taking fat out of everything.  Fat-free cookies, Fat-free cake, diet soda, No Trans-fat oreos, low-calorie ice cream...because these things don't make us fat if there is no fat in the product, right? 

Its no wonder that my impressionable almost 10-year old says, "Mommy, calories are bad for you."  Wait, what?  I will tell you exactly what I told her...Calories are in fact very good, and we need calories everyday to keep us going. 

Just like we need FAT.  Wait, what?  Not the kind of fat you find in cookies, cakes, ice cream, and soda.  The good kind that you find in whole foods like - avocados, fish, nuts, and oils - like olive oil.  These fats are called Monounsatruated fats and polyunsaturated fats - or "good fats."  These good fats are good for your heart - and believe it or not but they can actually help lower your cholestrol and blood pressure. 

Now, there is some debate on saturated fats...for instance coconut oil which has a high level of saturated fats has proven a number of good benefits.  Some of the benefits that coconut oil has shown in the short term seem to help alzheimers patients, help raise HDL (good cholestrol) and help people lose belly fat. 

Confused yet?  Don't be!  I truly believe that everything is good in moderation, even cookies and cakes...but if you are going to eat a cookie then eat the real thing! Traditionally when foods are labeled low-fat or fat-free they are replacing the fat with sugars and other chemicals which are far worse than the fat.  The food may digest quickly, but you end up with a sugar crash and feeling more hungry later.  A fat-free cookie is still a cookie! 

Eat good fats instead. If you are hungry grab a handful of almonds or an avocado - and if you choose to eat these yummy and fulfilling snacks instead of the cookie, your body will feel be charged and ready to finish your day.