Body Fit Tips
Dietary Fats:
What's What?
Fat. Sore subject. Most of us don't want it on our bodies! But, we do need it in our diets. HOWEVER, not much! What is the good, bad, and ugly about dietary fats? Firstly, all fats, no matter what they are, have 14 grams of fat per tablespoon, valued at 126 calories. Did I mention, level tablespoon? Like foul medicine measure tablespoon, not heaping nutella tablespoon! Secondly, let's categorize our fats, healthy and harmful.
The Good. Healthy fats: best options are unsaturated fats, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. They can help lower your risk of heart disease by lowering the amount of total cholesterol an d low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in your blood. Omega-3 fatty acids (a type of polyunsaturated fat) may be particularly beneficial to your heart. Sources - olive, peanut, canola, safflower, sunflower oils, nuts, seeds, cold water fish and flaxseed oil.
The Bad. Harmful fats: saturated and trans fats. They increase the risk of heart disease. Sources: animal products (meat, dairy products, lard, butter), coconut, palm, and other tropical oils, hydrogenated vegetable oils, and margarines.
The Ugly. Too much of any fat, healthy or harmful stays on the body. Lots of olive oil may be great for your arteries, but not your thighs! At 126 calories per tablespoon, remember level, fat calories add up quickly!
