Healthy Fat 101: What you Need to Know About Fat and Weight loss

There was a time when fat got a bad rap. Everyone was being told to eat low fat food, eliminate fat from their diet and that low fat diets were the key to weight loss and improved health.

A number of years later, research has shown that it’s not eating fat that’s bad, it’s what kind of fat you’re eating. And better yet, there’s evidence to support that the right kind of fat can actually aid in weight loss and in improving health.

Here’s everything you need t know to help you navigate the fats: 

What kind of fat should I be consuming?

You should be consuming mostly unsaturated fat, which is found in both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated forms, as well as some saturated fat, like what you find in coconut oil. Unsaturated fat is the type which helps increase our HDL, or healthy cholesterol levels, and which lowers our LDL, or unhealthy cholesterol levels.It is also where we find out Omega 3s and 6s, good for our brain to aid in digestion. The incorporation of saturated fat should come from clean sources, like coconut oil, or MCT oil, not saturated fat like you find in French fries and doughnuts. The different formations of the fat chains within the molecule cause your body to react differently to these different sources of saturated fat, making some better than others.

Why is it important to add healthy fats to my diet?

Healthy fats play so many roles in your every day health and wellbeing. Our body is insulated with fat and this fat is necessary not only to insulate us and keep us warm, but also because it is needed to help conduct electrical impulses through our body. These fats are also necessary to aid in healthy brain function, help keep our skin healthy and hydrated and they are also play a big role in helping to maintain our energy levels. Plus, you need fat in your body to help you absorb vitamins A, E, D and K. In terms of weight loss, healthy fats improve the functioning of all our tissues and organs, especially when it comes to detox and helping to eliminate built up toxins. They also help stabilize the digestion of your food so that you stay fuller for longer and are less likely to overeat, or to be hungry shortly after finishing a meal.

What are some good sources of healthy fats?

Avocado, coconut oil and full fat coconut milk are all excellent sources of healthy fats. You can put avocado in salads or turn it into chocolate pudding, while coconut oil and coconut milk are great for smoothies, lattes, soups and banana softserve.   Many healthy fat sources, like hemp oil and coconut oil don’t have a strong taste (or they taste good), so you can sneak it in anywhere you like. In addition to the ways listed above, one of my favourite ways to do it is to add a teaspoon of coconut oil to my coffee in the morning or make a special beverage like this Energizing Turmeric Tea!

By: Laura Peill – (Check out her blog Chronicles of Passion & Facebook)