Fat!
The very word makes us think of unwanted body pounds and cringe. We are
constantly bombarded with ads for low fat foods that we can indulge in without guilt. So
we buy them and eat to our heart’s content, wondering why the scale keeps creeping up
on us. After all, we’ve been good…we’ve stuck to low fat foods, right?
Unfortunately, a low fat diet may be one of
the biggest causes of weight gain. Why? Without adequate amounts of fat in our diets, we
feel hungry…so hungry that we want to keep eating till we’ve eaten far more than
we need. Most of the time, what we are eating is carbohydrates…refined carbohydrates.
Yes, the body needs carbohydrates for energy production, but the less active we are, the
fewer grams of carbohydrates we can use. The surplus is quickly converted to …you
guessed it…fat!
Dietary fat can be broken into two
categories: good fats and bad fats. Some authorities will tell you that plant fats (oils
which are mostly unsaturated) are the good fats and animal fats (many of which are solid
and saturated) are the bad fats. This is not correct. Both saturated and unsaturated fats
have a place in our metabolism. My definition of a good fat is one that has not been
damaged in processing but is still in the form nature made it. Unfortunately, many of the
foods we eat are full of damaged fats, which clog up our systems because the body cannot
process them.
We need good fats for optimal health. Our
bodies cannot function without them. People on low fat diets may be many pounds
overweight, but literally starving to death. The same is true of cholesterol. Unless we
consume cholesterol, our bodies cannot make enough hormones. When hormone levels decrease
the result may be weight gain that is very difficult to get rid of.
So what is the answer? My recommendation is
use only butter on your bread and in your baking. Margarine is not a healthy substitute
for butter and vegetable shortenings used in baked goods are full of damaged fats called
trans-fatty acids. Above all, avoid deep fried foods. The oils used for deep-frying
contain trans-fatty acids from the high heat used and are often oxidized (rancid).
I also recommend eating enough protein,
including eggs (unless you are allergic to them). The cholesterol in eggs, meats and dairy
foods is beneficial for your cell membranes and your hormone production. Protein is needed
to repair and replace the cells in your body. Signs of protein deficiency are dull hair
that falls out, and thin, brittle fingernails.
Stay away from refined sugars, white flour
and all foods made from them. Replace the man-made foods with real foods like meat, fish,
vegetables and fruits. Supplement your diet with a tablespoon of flax oil everyday, or get
flax seeds and grind them up in a blender to add to cereals, smoothies or other foods.
Remember they need to be eaten raw for the greatest benefits.
By following those simple guidelines, your
body will get the fats it so desperately needs without adding inches to your waistline.
~ Tys Dammeyer
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