Fats play an important role in living a healthy lifestyle. We need some fat in our diets, yet where we get them from can effect whether or not they are any good for us! People often eat too much of the wrong types of fats and not enough of the good ones!
Read on to find out more information regarding how you should treat fat in your diet:
Bad Fats
We mentioned that unsaturated fats are considered the good types of fat you want in your diet. Eating enough in moderation can have benefits towards gaining a healthy heart, and we know how important a healthy heart is for healthy living!
That means we need to cut out those bad fats, known as saturated fats and trans fatty acids, and they are quite hard to avoid.
First of all, let’s mention how the wrong kinds of fats negatively affect your health. These fats can lead to increases in cholesterol, clogging of the arteries and put you more at risk to heart disease. They also have high numbers of calories, which can lead to weight gain, which brings plenty of other risks to the table.
These fats are present in produce that has come from animals – meats and dairy, for the most part. However, these are not actually the worst types of bad fats you could be eating, as they come from natural sources, meaning if you limit the amount you eat and go for healthier options such as lean meat and low-fat dairy, you are not at too much risk.
Artificial Trans Fats
Artificial trans fats differ from natural trans fats because they come from liquid oils rather than animals. These oils are altered into a hardened state which turns them into hydrogenated fats, and are commonly found in a lot of bad foods – fried foods, baked goods, snacks (chips, pretzels, etc.)
This is why most healthy diets and lifestyles always recommending dropping the junk and processed foods for something healthier. You will feel better and find getting fit much less of a chore with diet featuring less fat.
Tips for Reducing Your Fat Intake
Food labels will be your best friend when trying to cut back in the fatty foods. Always look for low fat content, and that the saturated and trans fats are not too high either.
Try to introduce healthier options into your diet to replace fatty foods and snacks. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans and nuts are all great additions.
Make sure to eat fish with omega-3 fatty acids, at least one meal a week is a great way to get some good fat. In a similar effort, why not try making a vegetarian meal once a week too? This will reduce any saturated fats gained from animal produce.
If you like your dairy, swap how regular types of fat-free or low-fat equivalents.
Limit the fats you eat. There’s no reason as to why you cannot enjoy a bit of fat from time to time, even if it’s the bad type. A small amount sparingly will not cause any long-term damage, especially if you are exercising too -which you should of course be doing!
