Is Fat Good?
As a matter of fact a small amount of fat is an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet.
Fat is a source of essential fatty acids, which the body cannot make itself. Fat helps the body absorb vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E. These vitamins are fat-soluble, which means they can only be absorbed with the help of fats.
Not every fat is good though. Saturated fat, found mainly in meat and dairy foods, contributes to clogged arteries and cardiovascular disease. But monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, found in plants and healthful oils, actually protect your health by improving your cholesterol profile. Fat has little direct effect on blood sugar levels.
Fat is a type of nutrient, and just like protein and carbohydrates, your body needs some fat for energy, to absorb vitamins, and to protect your heart and brain health. For years we’ve been told that eating fat will add inches to your waistline, raise cholesterol, and cause a myriad of health problems. But now we know that not all fat is the same.
“Bad” fats, such as artificial trans fats and saturated fats, are guilty of the unhealthy things all fats have been blamed for—weight gain, clogged arteries, an increased risk of certain diseases, and so forth. But “good” fats such as unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids have the opposite effect. In fact, healthy fats play a huge role in helping you manage your moods, stay on top of your mental game, fight fatigue, and even control your weight.
In other words, rather than adopting a low-fat diet, it's more important to focus on eating more beneficial “good” fats and limiting harmful “bad” fats.
Unsaturated or monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are known as "good" fats. Health benefits of unsaturated fats include lowered blood cholesterol levels, reduced inflammation, and stabilized heart rhythms. Beneficial fats are predominantly found in foods from plants and are liquid at room temperature. There are two types of unsaturated fats:
Monounsaturated fat: These fats are liquid at room temperature but solidify when refrigerated. Olive oil is probably the most well-known monounsaturated fat. High concentrations can also be found in olives, avocados, hazelnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, and canola and peanut oils.
Polyunsaturated fat: Well known for their role in reducing overall blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, omega-3 fatty acids are a polyunsaturated fat shown to provide heart-health benefits. Food sources include fatty fish like salmon, trout, catfish, and mackerel, and also flaxseeds and walnuts. Dietitians recommend consuming omega-3 fatty acids from food sources rather than supplements; aim to eat two servings of fatty fish each week.
Best “good” fat that you should incorporate to your diet are: avocados, nuts and seeds, olive oil and fatty fish.
