Are You Non-Fatting Yourself Into Being Fat?
Fat-free is not all it is cracked up to be! How many times have you heard that you should buy low-fat or reduced fat foods? We are marketed these all day, every day in the grocery and on TV, aren't we? Want to know the truth? It is a lie! This is the food manufacturer's way to capitalize on all of those people that have bought into the "low-fat diet" from 2 decades ago or people that have a history of heart concerns.
I say this is a lie for two very good reasons...
science and history.
We'll start with history.
In the 1990's when the low-fat diet was the craze, we actually got fatter! By 2001, over 1/3 of the population was overweight.
We started cutting our fat intake and as a result of removing the fats, the food manufacturers replaced it with added sugar and flavorings to make up the difference in flavor.
Unfortunately, that has also produced an increase in insulin resistance/diabetes as well as weight gain.
Now our population is 66% overweight and 27% obese, with 1 out of 4 kids being overweight.
As far as heart concerns, studies are proving that high triglycerides are a much greater indicator of a heart attack than high cholesterol.
Triglycerides are greatly impacted by the amount of sugar consumed.
Do you see the correlation? Many people I know would say that fat is bad for us, and to a certain degree they would be right, some are.
But not all fats are bad for us! Yes, trans-fats are very, very bad for us! Many companies and restaurants are labeling foods Trans-Fat Free, No Trans-Fats, etc.
, but do not be fooled! Make sure you read the fine print! If you see "partially hydrogenated oils" in the ingredient list, it contains Trans-Fats! How, you ask? The food manufacturers are allowed up to 1/2 gram of trans-fats per serving without having to put it on the nutrition label.
Be aware that for manufacturers to pass under the radar with this, they will often times shrink the serving size to 1/2 or even 1/8 of what a normal person would consume simply to put No Trans-Fats on the front of the package.
Remember, the marketing is on the front of the package and the facts are on the back! As I said though, there are good fats too! In fact if you are someone that cares about your heart health or is worried about diabetes, you absolutely need these fats.
Many of the healthy fat sources are crucial for our health! They make up all of our cell walls, our brain tissue, are critical to our circulation and cardiovascular system and help to regulate hormones like insulin.
(Yes ladies, Omega-3's help with balancing those menopausal hormones too.
) The good sources are cold water fish, olives, olive oil, avocados, raw nuts & seeds, expellar-pressed canola oil, butter (not margarine! We will talk about that another time.
) and organic coconut oil.
Use oils and butter in moderation, but strive to have some healthy fats with each meal and snack, especially if you are trying to lose weight.
It will help balance your blood sugar and insulin levels as well as keep you satisfied longer.
Remember, the more natural your foods are the more health and healing you will derive from them!
I say this is a lie for two very good reasons...
science and history.
We'll start with history.
In the 1990's when the low-fat diet was the craze, we actually got fatter! By 2001, over 1/3 of the population was overweight.
We started cutting our fat intake and as a result of removing the fats, the food manufacturers replaced it with added sugar and flavorings to make up the difference in flavor.
Unfortunately, that has also produced an increase in insulin resistance/diabetes as well as weight gain.
Now our population is 66% overweight and 27% obese, with 1 out of 4 kids being overweight.
As far as heart concerns, studies are proving that high triglycerides are a much greater indicator of a heart attack than high cholesterol.
Triglycerides are greatly impacted by the amount of sugar consumed.
Do you see the correlation? Many people I know would say that fat is bad for us, and to a certain degree they would be right, some are.
But not all fats are bad for us! Yes, trans-fats are very, very bad for us! Many companies and restaurants are labeling foods Trans-Fat Free, No Trans-Fats, etc.
, but do not be fooled! Make sure you read the fine print! If you see "partially hydrogenated oils" in the ingredient list, it contains Trans-Fats! How, you ask? The food manufacturers are allowed up to 1/2 gram of trans-fats per serving without having to put it on the nutrition label.
Be aware that for manufacturers to pass under the radar with this, they will often times shrink the serving size to 1/2 or even 1/8 of what a normal person would consume simply to put No Trans-Fats on the front of the package.
Remember, the marketing is on the front of the package and the facts are on the back! As I said though, there are good fats too! In fact if you are someone that cares about your heart health or is worried about diabetes, you absolutely need these fats.
Many of the healthy fat sources are crucial for our health! They make up all of our cell walls, our brain tissue, are critical to our circulation and cardiovascular system and help to regulate hormones like insulin.
(Yes ladies, Omega-3's help with balancing those menopausal hormones too.
) The good sources are cold water fish, olives, olive oil, avocados, raw nuts & seeds, expellar-pressed canola oil, butter (not margarine! We will talk about that another time.
) and organic coconut oil.
Use oils and butter in moderation, but strive to have some healthy fats with each meal and snack, especially if you are trying to lose weight.
It will help balance your blood sugar and insulin levels as well as keep you satisfied longer.
Remember, the more natural your foods are the more health and healing you will derive from them!
