What we eat plays an important role in increasing or decreasing our body weight. Certain foods increase fat accumulation in our body while certain foods help us in our weight loss program. Excessive intake of foods which are high in certain types of fats is not good for our bodies. Certain types of fats negatively affect our health and can lead to serious diseases. There are both good and bad types of fats, so let us look into this matter more closely.
Your body needs fats. Make certain that you're eating the right types of fats as part of your balanced nutritional diet.
The Helpful Dietary Fat
We know that dietary fat is essential for our body to maintain health and daily performance. While serving as a source of energy, these types of fats provide important fatty acids which are much needed for our bodies – for growth, maintaining of bodily performance, vitamin absorption, and healthy skin. These types of fats have 9 calories per gram. Fats are stored as adipose tissue in our body and can also be found in plasma and blood cells. They work to store energy and to insulate and cushion organs. However, excess of these types of fats is harmful. According to the USDA and FDA, our diet should contain up to 30% of calories from fat. People who are on a weight loss program should follow this recommendation closely.
Saturated Fats
These types of fats are considered the worst of all fats, since excessive intake of such fats can cause a high cholesterol level and heart diseases. These types of fats are mostly found in coconut oil, processed meats, dairy products, and red meats. Weight loss plans strictly advise you to avoid these types of fats. Avoid processed meats. Try to purchase extra lean ground beef and trim the fat off of your steaks. Chicken and lamb are great tasty alternatives.
Trans Fats
Such types of fats, found in commercially-fried and baked foods, are also considered bad for our health. People on weight loss programs should avoid eating cakes, crackers, pastries, French fries, donuts, etc. These types of fats are frequently used in packaged foods and in restaurants and fast food chains. As recommended by the American Heart Association, the daily intake of such types of fats should not exceed a total of one percent of the daily diet. If you are on a weight loss plan or not, for your health you should follow this advice.
Mono Unsaturated Fats
New studies show that mono unsaturated fats are good for the body and can reduce the risk of heart diseases. In the past, such types of fats were considered as having neutral effects on our health. Mono unsaturated fats are found in the diet called ‘The Mediterranean Diet.’ You do not have to worry with these types of fats even if you are on a weight loss diet plan. My favorite source of mono unsaturated fats is avocados.
Polyunsaturated Fats
Such types of fats help us lower cholesterol and help prevent heart disease. They also help us in the treatment of arthritis, joint pain and certain skin problems. Such types of fats are also known as Omega-3 fatty acids and are mostly found in seafood like salmon, herring, sardines, trout and mackerel.
