Fear of F-A-T
During the high-carb diet craze of the 90's, many of us began to fear the "f-word". Fat became synonymous with all things evil in our diet! However, to the contrary, fat is important to our diet and some fats are quite beneficial to our health!If you want to lose weight by cutting back fat and calories (rather than carbs), it's easy to get in a "no fat's a good fat" mind frame. But one thing you should always keep in mind is that everyone needs some fat in their diet.
Why? Fat performs a variety of functions in our bodies, such as in assisting with mineral and vitamin absorption; bolstering our immune systems; and playing a part in hormone regulation.
Plus, fat just plain tastes good. It adds flavor and consistency when foods are prepared and is found in protein-rich foods like peanut butter. Fat makes us feel full, so that's why very low-fat dishes leave you hungry earlier. Eating fat in moderation helps us to feel satiated so we don't over-eat during our next meal.
Ready for some more good news about fat? Some fats are particularly good for you! The trick to eating friendly fats -- as with maintaining a healthy diet overall -- is to make the right choices and make them consistently.
Fishing for Good Fat? You've Got a Bite!
You've probably heard the term "omega" in the news referring to fats, but it can easily get confusing, because there are two different kinds of omega fatty acids. Omega-3 is the type of fatty acid that is found in fish and fish oil. Along with omega-6, another essential fatty acid, omega-3 has quite an impact on our overall health.
