January 10, 2014

Fats, good or bad? (FactFriday #1)

For some years now, I have been hearing that fat is bad. And I agree to a certain degree with this. You should definitely not pour a tub of lard in your mouth, but some fats are good.

If you think about whole milk and you are under the impression that the "skinny" version is healthier, you are sorely mistaking. The milk is more processed so that the fat can be eliminated. The natural, from the cow, whole milk is just pasteurized (like in the olden times), so that all of the bad bacteria can be killed. I remember my mum buying from farmers milk and boiling it! It was so good and helped me grow and be a healthy kid (that is until my dad and I found McDonalds).

If you think about it, all foods contain some amount of fat. Our bodies know how to handle fats that come from natural places. In moderation fat:
  • is a source of energy. We store some of it so when their is a hunger, the body consumes what fat is in the body. This is why we create a deficit when we try to louse weight, so the body can use up all the fat that is stored away safely.
  • is actually an essential fatty acid. These are the very known omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that are found in fish. These help us inflammation,  mood and behavior. 
  • helps with the good functioning of our nervous system and brain. The nerve cells are actually covered in a fatty material that acts like bike oil. Actually our brain contains a lot of essential fats.
  • helps maintain healthy skin and other tissues. The cell membrane contains a bit of fat, which is perfectly acceptable. When the amount of fat in these membranes gets out of hand, that's when we become overweight. 
  • helps for steroids, which are needed for many different processes.
So all in all, fat is not that bad. But which type should we avoid at all cost? Well the saturated and trans fats are bad. They raise your cholesterol and increase the risk of heart diseases. On the other hand, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats lower your cholesterol and help fight heart disease. 

Good fats
  • Monounsaturated
  • Polyunsaturated


Bad fats
  • Trans
  • Saturated


The thing about all these saturated fats is that if you get whole, natural, organic(whatever you want to name them) products then there is no saturated fat. Same goes with store both pastries. The body knows how to use the natural fats from any whole dairy product, the important thing is to find a brand that actually sell good organic dairy. Another way to buy fresh dairy is from a farmer. You even have to pasteurize it yourself like you just milked a cow! 


I have the strong belief that we should eat like our ancestors. Good, organic, natural, whole produce and meat. Without the unhealthy manipulation to make everything last 100 years. Also, we should find fruits and vegetables that are in season and locally grown. We are born  in and we adapt to a certain environment. It is unnatural for us to eat exotic fruits and unusual vegetables even if we like the taste and they might be the best thing ever since sliced bread. We are not accustomed to them and our bodies do not know how to correctly use all of the good things. 

So to wrap this up, not all fats are created equally and many fat-free foods are high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and calories and do not actually help you maintain a healthy eating habit. You should only buy meats and produce that are local and in season.

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