We've all been told (in some shape or form) that eating fat makes you fat. Hence, why we see a plethora of low-fat and non-fat items in the grocery store. Even milk and meat have fat broken down into percentages. Does 70% lean, 30% fat stamped all over ground meat labels sound familiar??!! What about 2% milk??!! Or margarine replacing butter because of the fat content??!! Whenever I hear the phrase eating fat makes you fat, I picture that GIF of Homer Simpson strapped to a chair with hundreds of donuts being shoved down his throat and his stomach getting bigger and bigger until his shirt pops open.
Nutritionally, there is a huge difference between processed fats and healthy fats. For starters, healthy fats don't contain glucose, so they don't spike our blood sugar like carbohydrates, but it does give you the same energy as a carb. And most importantly, we need fat (healthy fats) to survive. Yes, we need fat to live! Our brain is made up of 60% fat and every cell in our body is made up of fat. Every cell in our body has a thin membrane (barrier) of fat called a lipid (which means fat) bilayer. Healthy dietary fats go straight to the brain, bones, muscles, hormones, and immune system of the body. And research has shown that fat deficiencies lead to a higher risk of Alzheimer's, Dementia, ADD, depression, and other neurodegenerative disorders. (Campbell-McBride, 2010)
Still not convinced??!! Well, what about this??!! There is a great source of fat in breast milk. Yes, fat in breast milk. Breast milk fat is extremely important for the development of babies, especially their brains. And just like breast milk, coconut oil has similar benefits. So for those of us that have been long out of pampers, coconut oil contains the healthy fat we need for optimal health.
So with all of the healthy fats and processed fats out there, what fats should we be consuming??!! You ask good questions. Fats are broken up into a few different categories, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, saturated, Omega-3s, Omega-6s, and the list goes on. Monounsaturated fats contain nutrients and antioxidants. Monos can be found in olive oil, nuts, seeds, butter, animal fats, avocados, dairy, meats, and fatty fish. Polyunsaturated fats are found mostly in plants and are a great source in protecting the brain. Polys contain Omega-3s and Omega-6s. Omega-3s can be found in fatty fish, seafood, eggs, meat, flaxseed, and a few nuts and seeds. Omega-6s can be found in nuts, seeds, grains, and beans.
So if medicine is defined as a compound or preparation used for the treatment or prevention of disease, eating your healthy fats is eating your medicine. (Apple dictionary, 2020) How cool is that??!! But let me preface by saying that if you are on actual medication prescribed by your doctor, please continue to follow your doctor's orders.
Stay Healthy and Eat your medicine!
Noire Nutrition,
Aziza Lucas, NTP
Comments