Low Fat Diet : Not All Fats Are Bad

It is common thinking that in order to lose weight or to prevent heart problems, a person needs to eat fat-free foods. The reality is that all fats are not bad fats. Good fats (monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and omega-3s) are effective in controlling the cholesterol level as well as manage the weight issue. Bad fats (saturated fats and trans fats) are responsible for obesity and heart related problems.

There are lots of myths about fats. So let’s have a look at them first.

1. All fats are equally bad for health

This is not true. Bad fats that are responsible for heart diseases, obesity or increases cholesterol level are Saturated fats and Trans fats. Whereas Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats are good fats that help in lowering the cholesterol level in blood and prevents heart diseases.

2. Reducing the consumption amount of overall fat in your diet is all that you need

In order to stay healthy, you need to consume some amount of good fat. So, making a proportion of good to bad fat in your diet is what actually matter than just directly reducing much required fats intake. So, if you want to stay healthy, you should consume more good fats rather than bad fats.

3. Fat free labeled means it is healthy

If you see a fat free label on the product, that does not mean it’s healthy. Most of the fat free products are high in refined carbohydrates and unwanted calories. So, in spite of controlling your weight, they may lead to weight gain.

In order to completely understand fats, you need to know their types:

1. Good fats
 Monounsaturated fats
 Polyunsaturated fats

2. Bad fats
 Saturated fats
 Trans fats

Sources of good fats:

1. Monounsaturated fats sources:

 Olive oil
 Sunflower oil
 Avocados
 Nuts (cashews, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, pecans)
 Sesame oil
 Peanut butter
 Canola oil

2. Polyunsaturated fats sources:

 Soymilk
 Soybean oil
 Tofu
 Walnuts
 Corn oil
 Safflower oil
 Pumpkin seeds
 Sesame
 Sunflower seeds
 Flaxseed

Along with Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, there is another type of good fat called Omega-3. You can get omega-3 from canola oil, walnuts, flaxseed oil, soybean oil and ground flax seeds.

Sources of Bad fats:

1. Saturated fats

 Cheese
 Whole-fat dairy products
 Ice cream
 Coconut oil
 Palm
 Beef, pork
 Lard
 Butter

2. Trans fats sources

 Cakes
 Candy bars
 Pastries
 Fried foods
 Cookies
 Margarine
 Packaged snack foods
 Doughnuts

People, who are thinking about reducing the overall fats from the diet, should replace saturated fats and trans fats with Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. Studies show that to live a healthy lifestyle, you should consume 20 to 35% fats of total calories. Limiting your saturated fats intake to about 10% of total calorie consumption is a healthy choice. One should not consume more than 1% trans fats of total calories.

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Howliven.com is a free health portal. People from all over the world can share their experience and advice regarding the everyday essential health issues in this health blog. The articles shared on this website only for general knowledge and informational help, not the ultimate treatment of any health issue. Please consult with your doctor before taking any supplement or medicine.

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