For the longest time, I did not believe this. I refused to use olive oil and measured out my reduced fat Skippy peanut butter by the teaspoonful... not okay!
Fats are good for our bodies; they are our second most-used source of energy and they're what we use when our energy from carbohydrates runs out. If you ran a marathon fueled on carbohydrates alone you would burn out... your carbohydrate stores would be depleted and your body would need to start oxidizing fat to continue providing energy. Fats actually provide us with more condensed energy than proteins or carbohydrates, providing us with 9 calories per gram as compared to 4 calories per gram of protein and carbs. Another great thing about fats: they do not absorb water so the body will not store excess water with fats as it will carbohydrates and protein, i.e. less bloating!
In addition to being great for our energy, fats also provide us with important vitamins and minerals and will give you healthy hair, skin, and nails.
Be cautious with your fat intake - Here are some examples of good fats and not-so-healthy fats:
Best:
-Olive Oil
-Coconut Oil
-Fish Oil
-Vegetable Oils
-Flaxseeds
-Walnuts
-Avocados
-Olives
-Cashews
Not so healthy:
-Lard
-Butter (okay in moderation)
-Trans Fats (partially hydrogenated oils often found in baked goods and packaged or heavily processed foods)
Remember you will not get fat by eating fat. We gain weight when we consume an excess of calories over what we are burning. These calories do not come exclusively from fats. It is possible to gain weight on a 100% carbohydrate diet so long as you are eating more calories than you are burning! I wouldn't recommend trying it though!
Avocados are a great source of healthy fats! I love them sprinkled with sunflower seeds too! Don't fear fats!What is your favorite source of fats?
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