The Low-Down Healthy Truth About Fats

It takes fat to burn fat. And like carbohydrates, not all fats are created equal but they are essential, especially when it comes to weight loss.

Like carbohydrates, there are good fats and bad fats. When it comes to good fats, there are 2 types that fall into this category: monosaturated fats and long-chain omega-3 fats. Monosaturated fats come from olive oil, selected nuts, and avocados. Long-chain omega-3 fats come from fish and fish oils. These are the healthy fats that you want to incorporate into your diet, especially if you’re trying to lose weight. These are good fats because they play an indirect role in helping lower the insulin response to carbohydrates. Additionally, they send a hormonal signal to the brain saying “stop eating.” And the fewer calories you eat, the less insulin you make. If you don’t eat fat and replace it with carbohydrates, you are virtually guaranteeing you will become fatter.

But, just like there are good carbs and bad carbs, there are good fats and bad fats. The bad fats need to be restricted from your diet. Bad fats include saturated fats, trans-fats, and arachidonic acid. You find these fats in fatty cuts of red meat, high-fat dairy products, artificial fats in virtually all processed foods such as “partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.” These bad fats don’t only lead to excess weight, they also lead to deadly diseases like heart disease.

Eating the right types of fats at the right time in the proper amount helps maintain insulin levels – this is extremely important if you are trying to lose weight. On the other hand, indulging in bad fats can not only help you gain weight but also lead you down the path to deadly diseases like heart disease.