a.k.a. All fat is not created equal

Abel James says, “the biggest problem with fat is that it’s called fat.”

There’s the fat that you eat – healthy fats like avocados, nuts and the not-so-healthy fats like margarine and bacon grease – but there’s also the fat in your body. And then there’s it’s other use as a derogatory word to refer to people battling obesity (but that’s another post for another time)

But eating healthy fats have lots of benefits – they:

• increase fat-burning hormones
• prevent muscle breakdown
• promote lean-muscle growth
• help produce the growth hormone that helps keep us looking younger for longer.
• help cells function properly
• are necessary for fat-soluble vitamins (like Vitamin A and D) and minerals to be absorbed

  

To Learn on Day 4

Some of the oils we use regularly today are either chemically synthesized or are the product of genetically-modified crops like:

• Corn oil
• Canola oil
• Soybean oil
• Margarine
• Shortening

Click to read what Dr. Oz says about choosing good fats. 

To Do on Day 4

Swap out unhealthy fats (processed, saturated fats and trans fats) for good fats – trade in canola oil and vegetable oil for coconut oil and olive oil; get rid of the I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, margarine and shortening and use real butter instead – your taste buds, for one, will thank you.

Eat these fats cold:

• olive oil (It burns and smokes at a much lower temperature than cooking oils so shouldn’t be used for frying – better to drizzle on olive oil after food is cooked)
• nut butters
• flaxseed oil
• fish oil

Click here to start reading Day 1 of the 40 Days of Yummy posts

Do you regularly use fat-free products that you know should have fat in them – like fat-free ice cream and fat-free butter? Do you regularly eat fat substitutes like margarine and canola oil?