By now I’m sure you’ve heard of the newest “fad diet” of consuming low carbs, and high fats. You guessed it; The Keto Diet. The point of this post is not to highlight nor speak down upon said “diet” but to strictly point out that it’s obvious we need fats. They play an essential role in losing weight, maintaining brain function, and most importantly, staying healthy overall!
What are fats?
Fats are another fuel source for our body (carbohydrates being our first line of defense). Good fats promote satiety, fullness, brain function, weight loss, and more!
Types of fats:
Saturated fats are found in animals, palm oil, coconut oil, and butter. Saturated fats used to have a bad rep, but eaten in moderation it can help aide your body in many different ways.
Unsaturated fats become most harmful when oxidation occurs and when they are not used properly. It’s best to keep your oils, nuts/seeds away from heat/sunlight and allowing the least amount of oxygen inside!
Polyunsaturated fats are in the form of omega-3s and omega-6s’ and are both incredibly important to consume. They help to regulate your metabolism, support brain function, and more!
Trans fats are what you need to avoid! These fats are full of chemicals and are harmful to your body.
Foods to avoid:
A lot of store bought baked goods contain “trans fat”, so always make sure to read the nutrition facts! Keep in mind, fats add up quickly! Pay attention to your portion size, and what type of fats you’re ingesting.
Foods to consume:
Avocados, nuts, seeds, coconut oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, chia seeds, salmon, etc!
How much do you need?
When tracking macros, it’s been to include healthy fats into your diet with a range of 20%-35% of your daily caloric needs.
**NOTE: This is part two of a four part series. I will be going into depth of what macronutrients are, and the importance of each one.
