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DIFFERENT TYPES OF FAT Any fat that you consume has 9 calories for every 1 gram that you consume. Some of the types of fats that you are consuming can be hazardous to your health due to their effect on blood cholesterol levels. Some fat is necessary in your diet, since our bodies do not produce enough naturally to meet what our body requires. Americans today consume way too much fat, a diet should not exceed more than 30% of your total daily calorie intake in fat. SATURATED FATS (The worst for you!) Saturated fat is found in mostly in meats, such as beef, pork and ham, and in dairy products, such as whole milk, cream, ice cream, and cheese. To much saturated fat increase your blood cholesterol levels which increases your risk of getting heart disease. It is recommended that you consume no more than 10% of your total calorie intake in saturated fats. So keep track of those calories eaten in saturated fats and start reading labels and cutting back on the consumption of saturated fats for a more healthy, longer, lifestyle. MONOUNSATURATED FATS(The Best for You!) Monounsaturated fats are the best kind of fat for you. It is mostly found in olive, peanut, and canola oils. They are found to reduce LDL ( bad cholesterol) levels without affecting HDL's (good cholesterol). Use the oil sparingly and substitute it for the butter that is used in your diet. POLYUNSATURATED FATS Polyunsaturated fats are mostly found in vegetable oils such as corn, soybean, safflower, sunflower. They lower your total blood cholesterol but also reduce your HDL levels. They are still better than saturated fats. TRANS FATTY ACIDS FATS (TFA'S) These fats are created when polyunsaturated oils are altered through hydrogenation, a process used to turn liquid vegetable oil into solids like margarine and shortening. Research has found that these fats act like saturated fats, raising LDL levels therefore, causing heart disease. So watch out for foods that contain hydrogenated vegetable oil. FAKE FATS Olestra the first, new, fake fat that is bona fide, made from a combination of vegetable oil and sugar. It looks like fat, cooks like fat, and tastes like fat. It also is not 9 calories per gram like all the other fat types. Olestra molecules are too large to be digested by your body and pass right through you. The problem with Olestra is that when it passes through your body it takes nutrients along with it. This can cause deficiencies and loss of nutrients that help fight against cancer. It also causes stomach cramps in some individuals. We recommend staying away from olestra till there is further research and studies show more of a definite, positive results in the use of it in your diet. any questions email info@fitsite.com |
