There are many different ways to lose weight and different methods work for different people. One misconception that many people have is, if I want to lose body fat then I should cut fat from my diet. False. This is known as the low-fat diet and it turns out that a low-fat diet is not an effective way to try to lose weight over the long term. Fat has a bad stigma around the name, but in fact actually has many benefits when consumed in the right amounts and from the right sources.
Don’t we all just wish it was that easy; don’t consume fat and you will lose fat. Studies have shown that low-fat diets are actually less effective than higher-fat eating strategies at helping people lose weight and, more importantly, keep it off for a year or more. With the idea stated above, if I want to lose fat then why isn’t eating less fat the solution? Largely because a low fat diet tends to be much higher in sugar / carbohydrates. This time of eating is why the “low fat / no fat” diet has been a colossal failure and we have the highest obesity and diabetes rates of all time!
High-fat healthy diet foods include:
- Avocados: great source of potassium and fiber, and have shown to have major benefits for cardiovascular health.
- Cheese: a great source of vitamins, minerals, proteins and healthy fats.
- Dark chocolate: high in fat, but packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Especially effective at improving cardiovascular health.
- Eggs: one of the most nutrient dense foods.
- Fatty fish: loaded with omega 3. Eating fatty fish, such as salmon, is linked to improved health and a reduced risk of all sorts of diseases.
- Nuts: high in healthy fats, proteins, vitamin E and magnesium.
- Olive Oil: very effective at improving cardiovascular health.
- Full-fat Yogurt: has all the same important nutrients as other high-fat dairy products, as well as probiotic bacteria for digestive health.
- Animal Fat: Well raised animals (wild caught, free range, pasture raised, grass fed, etc) all have good sources of fat.
REASONS TO CONSUME FAT:
Eating fat is necessary and essential (Humans need fat for survival – The essential fatty acids). Fat is a major source of energy and without it your body’s metabolic functions would falter. Fatigue would take over and you simply wouldn’t have the energy to exercise.
Vitamins A, D, E, and K are all fat-soluble, meaning the body can’t absorb them unless you also consume fat. So, in a sense, if you cut out fat then you are also cutting out those valuable nutrients your body would not be able to properly absorb.
When we eliminate one food group it is very easy to overdo it in another food group, primarily those carbs we love so much. Be sure to eat your fats! For more information please contact Premier Health and Wellness by visiting the site (www.premierhw.com) or by contacting the staff at (512) 459-4405.
