Is Fat Fattening?
Do you avoid eating fat in an attempt to be healthier or lose weight? You are not alone. Many people have succumbed to the idea that fat is bad for our health. Often people will eliminate fat from their diet to lose weight or create better health. Wrong choice. The medical community, the media, and food industry have done an amazing job of convincing people that low to no fat is the way to optimal health and weight loss. The truth is that those who eat a low-fat diet are usually the unhealthiest. Often they will suffer from a variety of physical symptoms such as depression, fatigue, anxiety, insulin resistance and much more. Why do low-fat diets make us miserable and fat?
- Low-fat diets make us hungry. Fats very effectively send a signal to the brain that says you are full. If you do not have enough adequate fat in your diet you will never feel full and thus, you will overeat. Adding fat to your diet puts the brakes on hunger.
- Low fat means higher carbohydrate intake = weight gain. Ingesting carbohydrates triggers the release of insulin – your fat storage hormone. Including healthy fats with every meal means that less insulin is released, your blood sugar is stabilized and you are reducing the inflammation in your body that occurs with a high carb intake. Inflammation = weight gain.
- Low-fat diets typically are void of proteins. People on low-fat diets tend to avoid protein foods from animal sources because they contain saturated fat. Protein is critical for optimal health and weight loss. The amino acids derived from protein create neurotransmitters that help to control our appetite and reduce food cravings. Protein also helps build lean muscle mass which is important if you want to lose fat.
Don’t be afraid of healthy fats at every meal such as avocados, fatty fish, nuts and seeds, coconut, olive oil, fish oil, krill oil and flax oil. Fat is your best friend in creating optimal health and weight loss!