Fat is your friend not the enemy. Again, let's get back to the fat phobia epidemic. Here an all-too familiar scenario: My client is venting her frustration about not being able to lose weight. I know she's been working hard, is dedicated to her workouts and extremely aware of her diet. She's eating what appear to be all the right foods--plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole-grain products, and the occasional grilled chicken breast. Still, she just can't seem to make any noticeable progress. What could be the problem? You may be surprised to learn this client may be too concerned about her diet, especially her fat intake. That's right...Fat. Viewed as "bad" and to be avoided at all cost, fat has become the pariah of the food pyramid in the last several years. The myth abounds that eating fat will directly and immediately result in fat deposits on the hips and thighs and around the middle. Eating fat has even taken on a moral value as many people have begun to equate the amount of fat they consume each day with how little willpower they have. What has been lost in the equation, however, is that eating too little fat can cause serious health problems and lead to an unhealthy obsession with food.
Why We Need Fat
Fat is as critical a component of the diet as carbohydrate, protein or water. Fat supplies our bodies with essential fatty acids that can be found only in food. These essential fatty acids help manufacture hormones and nerve cells and are important for carrying and absorbing fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Fat also helps maintain healthy skin and hair; two of the telltale signs of a lack of fat in the diet are dry, brittle hair and scaly skin.
The simple rule for rating fats is: fats that are liquid at room temperature are more unsaturated than fats that are solid at room temperature. The lower the temperature that a fat becomes solid, the less saturated it is. Wanna know more...Chapter 6 in my book tells all!
Why We Need Fat
Fat is as critical a component of the diet as carbohydrate, protein or water. Fat supplies our bodies with essential fatty acids that can be found only in food. These essential fatty acids help manufacture hormones and nerve cells and are important for carrying and absorbing fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Fat also helps maintain healthy skin and hair; two of the telltale signs of a lack of fat in the diet are dry, brittle hair and scaly skin.
The simple rule for rating fats is: fats that are liquid at room temperature are more unsaturated than fats that are solid at room temperature. The lower the temperature that a fat becomes solid, the less saturated it is. Wanna know more...Chapter 6 in my book tells all!
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