It seems to make perfect sense that eating fat is a bad idea. After all, fat contains 9 calories per gram, compared to carbohydrates or protein, which both contain only 4 calories per gram. However, there is more to weight gain and weight loss than simple calorie counting. Fat is a crucial part of one’s diet and a structurally integral part of every single cell membrane in the human body. The fact is that you need healthy fats for your body to properly function.
Here is what you need to know about healthy fats:
One’s daily caloric intake should contain about 25% to 30% of fat. That does not mean you should eat any fat. It is important to choose the right kinds of fat and to limit the ones that will not provide much in the way of nutritional value.
- Monounsaturated fats: These types of fats are perfect for raising one’s good HDL cholesterol, lowering bad LDL cholesterol, and protecting against plaque build-up in arteries. Guess what? They also aid in preventing belly fat. Monounsaturated fats can be found in olive oil, olives, canola oil, peanuts, cashews, almonds, sesame seeds, and avocados.
- Polyunsaturated fats: Not only do these types of fats also lower one’s LDL, but they also contain essential omega-3 fatty acids, which boost brain function, and omega-6 fatty acids, which can keep skin and eyes healthy. Polyunsaturated fats are found in salmon, flaxseed, walnuts, corn-fed chicken and beef, and tofu.
Fats you should stay away from:
Eating the right fats is just as important as avoiding the wrong ones, such as saturated fats and trans fats. These fats raise cholesterol levels, increase the risk of heart disease, and can increase inflammation throughout the body. Consider avoiding butter, whole and 2% milk, coconut oil, palm oil, fried foods, cookies, and cake.
Soza Weight Loss in Louisiana
Too many fad diets emphasize a severely low intake of calories with the promise of fast results. Unfortunately, these types of methods only break down lean muscle mass and important internal body fat you need. At Soza Weight Loss, we use an all-natural approach that focuses on nutrient-dense meals combined with natural medical supplements that boost metabolism. The result is not only rapid weight loss, but an optimization of your personal health.
Call us at any of our convenient Louisiana locations to schedule a free consultation and learn more about our services.