If you’re thinking that fat free means guilt free, think again.
In our quest for weight loss and health, we have been programmed to fear all fats. But what if the real issue is not fat but the type we have steered clear from?
Why Fat Free is Not Always Healthy
For years people have avoided fats like the plague believing that they were the enemy of weight gain and health issues. The supermarket shelves are proudly displaying “fat free” in bright bold letters and many believe that because it’s fat free, it must be good for you. The reality is that there are many varieties of fat. In fact, your body requires healthy fats to function. Eliminating every kind of fat could hurt your health and weight loss ambitions.
How We Were Misled by the Fat Free Craze
The low-fat craze began in the ’90s and the public health recommendations for nutrition then weren’t very clear on what fats are beneficial and which are harmful food choices. Nutrition experts focused on fat reduction rather than fat replacement. So food manufacturers took fat out, but then replaced it with sugar, salt, and artificial fillers to make up for the lack of flavor. A generation of adults consumed “fat free” foods while obesity rates increased, chronic illnesses grew and lifestyle diseases became prevalent.
Our bodies require fat. It stimulates our brain, generates hormones, and aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K. Without healthy fats in your diet, you may feel fatigued, lack hydration, experience mood swings, and develop dry skin. It’s not that you should consume less fat, it’s that you should be a more discerning eater.
The Truth About Healthy Fats
Unifying statement now: Eating fat does not mean you will gain fat. In reality, healthy fats a type shared by avocadoes, nuts, seeds, oils, and fatty fish can promote weight loss by keeping people full and maintaining blood sugar levels.
Have you ever felt that an olive oil dressing was more fulfilling than a dry salad? Healthy fats make a meal filling and nutritious, unlike sugar, which spikes insulin levels and tells the body to store that energy as fat.
Every good thing in excess is bad. However, you should hug this fat, not fear it.
The Switch: From Fat Free to Fat Smart
Here’s a simple tip: if it says “fat free” on the label, look at the label a second time. Is it full of sugar or chemicals? If it is, it’s still detrimental to your health. Instead of fearing fats, think about including other forms of nutrient dense fat in your eating plan. A few almonds for a snack, a spoon of peanut butter in your smoothie; even a switch from cooking oil to extra virgin olive oil are all fat smart.
Want something creamy?
Use Greek yogurt or mashed avocado, not the fat free stuff with additives. When you mindfully add healthy fat into your eating plan, your skin has a healthy glow, your energy levels will be higher, and your relationship with food will become more balanced.
The Bottom Line: A Balanced Plate for Better Living
The reality of health doesn’t exist in shortcuts using “fat free” labels. The reality of health exists in whole and balanced meals that contain the correct types of fat. If you’re pursuing a lifetime of health, energy, and fat burning then healthy fats are a key staple.
And when it comes to the best diet plan for weight loss, it’s based on whole foods (proteins, fiber, complex carbs, and healthy fats), the secret is balance, not deprivation!