The Untold Story About Fat in Food

The Untold Story About Fat in Food

Fat has received a lot of negative attention, and for many individuals, the mere utterance of the term "fat" may cause them to feel depressed. However much you attempt to shed it, conceal it, or avoid it, the fact is that it is necessary for your body to function. You may not have realized that fat serves to insulate nerve cells, keeps us warm, regulates our hormones, keeps our skin and blood vessels supple, lubricates joints, and is a component in every cell of our body.

The most important thing to remember about fat is to understand which types of fat your body needs, how much your body requires, and which types are your adversaries. With the right information, you can focus on increasing the amount of beneficial fats in your diet while decreasing the amount of harmful fats.

There are two kinds of fat that you should be aware of. Saturated fats are referred to as "the enemy," whilst unsaturated fats are referred to as "the good guys." Saturated fats are simple to distinguish from unsaturated fats since they are solid at normal temperatures. Saturated fats are not necessary for maintaining good health. They originate from animals and may be found in a variety of foods such as meat, eggs, and cheese. They are more difficult to digest and contain high levels of cholesterol.

Because they are liquid at room temperature, unsaturated fatty acids have been separated into two categories. Dietary fats that are unsaturated include monounsaturated fatty acids like olive oil and polyunsaturated fatty acids like sunflower oil. Polyunsaturated fats are divided into two types: Omega 3 fatty acids and Omega 6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish and poultry. Although monounsaturated fatty acids (Omega 9) are not required for health, they are not hazardous when consumed in moderation. A high-quality (extra virgin first cold-pressed) olive oil is a better option than vegetable oils. Saffflower oil, sunflower oil, evening primrose oil, walnut oil, pumpkin oil, and sesame oil are all excellent sources of Omega 6. Mackerel, herring, salmon, pilchards, sardines, tuna, and flaxseed oil are all excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Here are some crucial facts concerning fat in our diet that you should be aware of.


1. For animals, plants, and people alike, fat serves as an "energy store."

2. A woman's optimal body-fat ratio is 19–26 percent of her body weight, while a man's optimal body-fat ratio is 12–18 percent of his body weight.

Brown and yellow fat are the two forms of body fat found in the human body. This kind of fat is found within the body and is referred to as "active" fat because it contains mitochondria that generate heat (thermogenesis) and, as a consequence, burn energy. Yellow fat is situated closer to the surface of the skin, is less active, and is more prone to collecting. Women have a larger proportion of yellow fat in their bodies than men.

4. Women have larger amounts of fat in their bodies because it is necessary for reproduction, and the body stores it as a "just in case" reserve.

5. A healthy consumption of beneficial fats in the diet should be roughly 30–40 grams per day on average, according to the American Heart Association. Rich people's dietary fat content may be roughly four times that of poor people!

6. The majority of fat-containing foods have a combination of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats in various amounts. The fat content of butter is nearly 100%, with 60% being saturated, 30% being monounsaturated, and 10% being polyunsaturated. In contrast, the fat content of sunflower seeds is 73 percent, with only 12% being saturated, 21% being monounsaturated and 67 percent being polyunsaturated, as shown in the table.

Keeping oils in dark containers helps to prevent the destruction of vital fatty acids caused by heat, light, and oxygen.

8. Because your body is unable to create essential fatty acids, you must get them from your food. Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are two of the most important healthy fats (known as essential fatty acids).

In terms of energy density, fat outperforms both carbs and protein (each gram of fat has 9 calories). 10.

In addition to contributing to the palatability, texture, and scent of many meals, fat slows the process of digestion, allowing you to feel fuller for a longer period of time after you have finished your meal.

When you know what is healthy for you and what is harmful for you, fat is fantastic!

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post