Healthy Diets and Healthy Fats
The human body needs fat. That’s a fact. The body won’t function properly without fat or a lack of it. Aside from providing more energy than carbohydrate or protein, fat is needed in brain development, hormone production and the building of cells.
When people became aware of the dangers of saturated fat and trans-fat, a switch to a low fat diet became the trend. Some people even avoided fat altogether. However, there are still people who are consuming high amounts of these unhealthy fats, especially, those who still gobble fast foods.
Studies into other sources of fat showed that there are several types of friendly fat that can substitute for saturated and trans-fats. These fats are classified as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Getting to know them will help you choose what suits your needs.
The body must have a balance of essential fatty acids to function properly. They are not produced by the body, and must be supplied by your food. The essential fatty acids are omega-3 and omega-6.A healthy diet should have a balance of these two. In the American diet, omega-6 is far easier to obtain than omega-3. It’s no surprise because Omega-6 can be found in meat. The Mediterranean diet tends to have a balance of the two. Where can one obtain omega-3 and omega-6? A number of oils from plant sources contain these two omegas, but not equally. Fish oil is a rich source of omega-3. Other sources are fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
The healthiest of all cooking oils is canola. It is rich in omega-3 and omega-6. It is also very versatile because it can be used for any dish that requires oil. Flaxseed is also rich in omega-3. It is believed to help burn body fat. Olive oil helps prevent heart disease because of its omega-3. It is flavorful and blends well with salads
Other health-friendly oils may not contain the essential fatty acids, but they are rich in other substances that nourish and fortify our bodies.
Almond oil can be found in a lot of cosmetics. It is very rich in vitamin E. It can also be used for stir frying. Although coconut oil is mostly saturated fat it is of the type that is easily assimilated by the body. This is lauric acid which provides a bevy of health benefits from fighting bacteria and viruses to strengthening immune function. It is free from cholesterol and trans-fat. For cooking, it can be used for chicken.
Avocado and grapeseed oils contain a lot of antioxidants. Avocado oil is high in vitamin E. Grapeseed has polyphenol which is said to slow down aging. The essential polyunsaturated fat in grapeseed helps prevent heart disease and lowers blood pressure. Avocado oil can be used for all purpose cooking and grapeseed oil for stir-fried dishes.
Monounsaturated and poly unsaturated oils provide a lot of benefits, from health to beauty. However, as in anything, the key is still moderation. Some studies say that elevated levels of omega-6 can cause inflammation. The trick to achieve moderation is to have variety.
Remember, though, that a healthy diet is a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein sources, and fats.
Rachel is an advocate for healthy dietary habits. If you’re looking to learn a way to prepare meals the healthy way visit orgreenic pan or how orgreenic works
Processing your request, Please wait....
