The Skinny on Fats

Let's get back to basics: Fat is necessary for growth, development, brain and heart function, satiety, reducing inflammation and actually helps burn body fat. Consuming dietary fat is important for absorption of nutrients, energy and cell membrane health. But not all fats are created equal!

 

The fats you want to reduce are saturated fats and trans fatty acids for alleviating many health concerns and you can do this by limiting poor quality fats as much as possible in your diet.

Saturated Fats are found in

• palm oil
• cheese
• processed meats
• chocolate
• coconut
• red meat
• nuts and seeds

Trans Fats are found in

• packaged foods
• margarine
• fast food
• packaged soups 
• frozen foods

There are exceptions to this rule. Nutrient rich saturated fat foods such as Coconut, red meat, nuts and seeds are an ESSENTIAL part of our diet – but roughly 30% of total food intake. Remember to always avoid trans fats.

 

When you are wanting to burn body fat and lose weight you want to focus on the unsaturated fats such as monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA’s) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA’s). 

MUFA’s are found in 

• olives
• olive oil
• avocado
• nuts and seeds

PUFA’s (which include your omega 3 fatty acids) are found in 

• fish
• fish oils
• nuts
• seeds 
• algae  

For more information about the type of fat that should be in your diet to achieve your goals simply email naednutrition@gmail.com for more information