The TRUTH about fats!
With the “low fat” craze that actually started in the late 70’s, there’s been A LOT of misinformation on the role “fats” actually play on our overall health. For those of us who’ve been around a while, it can be REALLYhard to move past these ideals that have been marketed to us our whole lives. The “truth” about fats is, they’re VERY important “macronutrient” that our bodies can’t function without! These “Healthy fats” play a vital role in energy levels, hormones, metabolic rate, brain and nerve function, and even vitamin absorption! (With that being said I think I should clarify that “healthy fats” like those listed below, are very different from those that you’ll find in most ultra processed and refined foods, or those used in the fast-food markets)
3 things “healthy fats” help with!
Stable long-lasting energy!
Fats don’t burn the same way carbs do in our systems. Fats in the body, just like in real life burn long and slow! Carbs are more like a “gasoline” if you will, that’s converted over to glucose very quickly and put right to work for immediate energy! However, in our bodies if you have too much glucose left in your blood, your body will take whatever isn’t used up and convert it into fats for later energy storage! This is why healthy fats are a great addition to any meal, to not only help with vitamin absorption and stabilizing blood sugars (which is #1), but also to help you feel full and satisfied longer (which is #2 and can also prevent excess snacking)!
Hormone balance/regulation!
Hormones control the function of almost everything in our bodies! This includes our metabolism, energy, hunger, sex drive, sleep…… All of these can directly impact the amount of fat our bodies are not only “storing” but also burning! Healthy fats in our diet help support and regulate these hormones which reduces food cravings, blood sugar spikes and crashes, and keeps your energy levels up throughout the day!
Let’s talk healthy fats!
Omega 3 fatty acids!
Most of us know all about how omega 3’s can help reduce inflammation and help with joint and heart health, but did you know there’s more? Omega 3’s can actually boost your resting metabolic rate (the rate at which we burn calories when resting), increase the amount of fat we’re burning while exercising, and like with other fats it can increase “fullness” after meals!
Monounsaturated fats!
These are the fats found in things like olive oil, avocados, and nuts and seeds! These wonderful fats not only help you control blood sugar levels, burn more fat after meals, and have fewer cravings for food, but they also help protect your heart, build/maintain/repair cells, and can help reduce inflammation in the body!
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs)!
This is one of my FAVORITES to talk about! Found in high concentrations in coconut oil, and 8-25% in fats like grass fed ghee, MCT fats are NOT like the others! This amazing fat is not stored but used for immediate energy WITHOUT blood sugar spikes! It can also increase the rate that your body’s burning calories, the amount of fullness hormones sent out in the body, it can assist the body in the release of ketones (chemicals used to break down fats for energy), and it can help you manage a healthy gut flora! I use this AMAZING oil every day and absolutely love it!
SATURATED fats!
YES, that’s right I said SATURATED fats, which have gotten a horrible rap for all the wrong reasons! Like all things, in moderation saturated fats are not just okay, but necessary for our bodies to properly function! These can be found in grass fed beef and ghee, whole eggs, full fat milk and yogurt, dark chocolate, and coconut oil (MCT). They support essential biological processes like hormone production (very important), cell membrane integrity, vitamin absorption, and can help us feel full longer! The quality of fats as always is key. (If you’re getting saturated fats from whole foods, it’s completely different than those you’d be getting in ultra processed foods)
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