Is there good fat and bad fat?
If saturated fat is bad for you why is 60% of our brains made of saturated fat?
Is it maybe that overconsumption of saturated fat is bad because it tends to play a negative role in our bodies in regard to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity?
Over consumption of any food or supplement is dangerous to our health and the American society for the past 50 years has fallen deeply into the hypnotic behavior of overindulging in foods. 60% of our population is overweight or obese and completely addicted to chemicals in our foods.
How much saturated fat can one eat and still stay healthy?
But not all fats are created equal. Some fats are better for you for your cardiovascular system and some are better for you for your brain power. Fats shouldn’t be avoided but consumed rationally. 10% of your fat should be saturated fat and 90% of your fat should be unsaturated fat.
NOTE: I said of your fat and not of your food!
Knowing the difference in which fats are which and how much you should consume can help you determine which fats to avoid, and which to eat in moderation.
Fat is as essential to your diet as protein and carbohydrates are in fueling your body with energy. Certain bodily functions also rely on the presence of fat. For example, some vitamins require fat in order to dissolve into your bloodstream and provide nutrients.
However, the excess calories from eating too much fat of any type can lead to weight gain and eventually some very dangerous internal illnesses.
Foods and oils contain a mixture of fatty acids, but the predominant type of fat they contain is what makes them “good” or “bad.” Once that’s determined, how you eat them is very important, for “heat” is a major enemy of any nutrient.
What is the evil of all fats?
Trans fat —or trans-fatty acids, are a form of unsaturated fat. They come in both natural and artificial forms. Natural, or ruminant, trans fats occur in the meat and dairy from ruminant animals, such as cattle, sheep, and goats. They form naturally when bacteria in these animals’ stomachs digest grass. The worst trans fats are those processed fats that have been chemically altered or induced. Most of the foods that contain these types of fats are:
- Crackers, cookies, cakes, frozen pies, and other baked goods.
- Snack foods (such as microwave popcorn)
- Frozen pizza.
- Fast-food.
- Vegetable shortenings and some stick margarines.
- Coffee creamer.
- Refrigerated dough products (such as biscuits and cinnamon roll
Most store-bought cookies are chemically processed…read ingredient labels
Trans fat should be avoided while saturated fats should be eaten very sparingly.
Saturated fat: Use sparingly
Most saturated fats are animal fats. They’re found in high-fat meats and dairy products.
Saturated fat sources include:
- fatty cuts of beef, pork, and lamb
- dark chicken meat and poultry skin
- high-fat dairy foods (whole milk, butter, cheese, sour cream, ice cream)
- tropical oils (coconut oil, palm oil, cocoa butter)
- lard
In addition, many baked goods and fried foods can contain high levels of saturated fats. Some plant-based oils, such as palm oil, palm kernel oil and coconut oil, also contain primarily saturated fats, but do not contain cholesterol. Eating too much saturated fat can increase blood cholesterol levels and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels.
According to Harvard University, researchers now think saturated fat may not be as bad as once thought — but it still isn’t the best choice for fats.
A 2015 review of 15 randomized controlled trials looked at saturated fats and heart disease. The researchers concluded that replacing saturated fat in your diet with polyunsaturated fats can reduce your heart disease risk.
© Copyright – Hector Sectzer
