I get how saying “healthy fat” sounds like an oxymoron, but stay with me here. Over the years, a lot has changed, but there’s still a lot of people who think eating fat means they’ll get fat. There are good and healthy fats out there that your body actually needs to do, well just about everything!
Fat is a major source of energy for your body – it makes your body work the way you need it too. But it takes the right kind of fat. Here’s a quick and easy breakdown to help rid you of the “Fat is bad” mindset!
Trans Fat = Bad fat
Trans fat is the evil, unhealthy fat you want to stay away from and consume as little as possible. Trans fat raises your risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke (just to name a few). It was made purely for convenience by man to preserve food for longer periods of time (through hydrogenation) such as fast food burgers and frozen pizza. It holds zero nutritional value.
Saturated Fat = So-So Bad Fat
In the middle-ish area, is saturated fat. While not healthy, saturated fat is okay in moderation. If you have too much of it, it will increase your risk of high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes. You can find saturated fat in lots of items including animal products, coconut oil and dairy items. If you you’re your intake of saturated fat low it can provide energy and help repair cells.
Monounsaturated Fat = Good Fat
This type of fat is in olive oil, avocados, some fish and most nuts. It’s awesome stuff since it can keep your appetite in check and improve cholesterol.
Polyunsaturated Fat = Also Good Fat
Polyunsaturated is another healthy fat that is good for your body. This type of fat has omega-6 and omega-3 which your body cannot make on it’s own.
The best and easiest way to make sure your diet has some balance and you are giving your body what it needs to work is to focus on eating real, whole foods most of the time. There’s no need to over complicate nutrition unless you are following specific doctor orders or an athlete with intense training!