London, May 9: Still struggling to come to grips with the notion that fat is good for you? It’s time to distinguish between good from the bad and take the best pick. Naturopathic nutritionist Amy Morris has gathered some common myths about fat and lets us know why it plays such an essential role in our diets and how to distinguish the good from the bad, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
In fact, healthy fats are needed for the body to function optimally. Fat should form an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet. Good fats are needed by the body as they help us absorb certain nutrients, regulate hormone production and help the growth and repair of tissue. The body does not make essential fatty acids by itself, so it’s really important to consume ‘good’ fats found in flaxseeds and walnuts, or to make sure you are supplementing them into your diet to ensure a healthy balance.
Not all dietary fats have the same effect on the body, and a great example of this is coconut oil. Coconut oil is a saturated fat, which is converted into pure energy by the body rather than being stored as fat. As well as providing energy, coconut oil won’t cause a spike to our blood sugar levels, making it an ideal fat for diabetics to consume in small amounts.
Should we avoid trans-fats? Trans-fats are the type of fats to avoid at all costs as research has shown these cause weight gain. While some meat and dairy products contain some trans-fats, the largest and most concerning source of trans-fats in a person’s diet today is found in baked goods, margarine, snacks, samosas and fried food.
It has been proved a myth that fats cause heart disease. Saturated fat was wrongly labelled as a fat to be avoided in the 1960s, as researchers thought that consuming it would cause heart disease. However, a study of 347,747 individuals found no association between saturated fat consumption and heart disease. IANS
