Low fat vs. Good fat: Which is better?
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These days it seems like everyone is switching to fat-free products when really they are trying to keep other medical issues at bay. Even though it seems applicable, it is said that people who have cholesterol problems might want to reconsider this decision. Many health experts are now saying that fat-free foods may mean trouble than they are worth. In the debate of low-fat vs. good fat, many people are now starting to realize that good fat is not so bad after all.
Why not fat-free?
The issue that many people are having is that the fat-free is not just lacking in fat. Fat free is fundamentally taste free. This means that companies are using different additives to increase the taste of the product. Even though it is fat-free, it could be calorie rich. This is the real reason why people should check the labels of what they are getting, instead of just believing it is healthy.
Cholesterol is not all bad. There are some forms of it that our bodies need. If our bodies are missing something that they need, we may figure it out the hard way. With cholesterol, two important parts are affected: our brain tissues and also our hormones. They both need healthy fats to function properly.
How good fats can help you
There are good fats that can decrease the bad cholesterol that we have in our bodies. This is why medical professionals have been acknowledging that olive oil is very beneficial for those that have high cholesterol. This is mainly because olive oil contains polyunsaturated fatty acids “ the good guys. Saturated fat or animal fat is the one you should avoid. Both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats contain the bad cholesterol fighting HDL. The good cholesterol, HDL, clears out the bad cholesterol, LDL, which paves the way for a healthier body.
Foods to avoid
The bad fats are mostly found in animal products, which is one of the many things that people with cholesterol are recommended to reduce. Trans fats are the worst type of fat that you can consume. These are the oils that you can find in all the processed, fast food, and commercially baked goods that many people consume on a regular basis such as burgers, fried, potato chips, pizzas, hot dogs and pies, just to name a few. The oils that are used to make these goods are either partially or completely hydrogenated oils.
Why avoid low-fat
A low-fat diet does not mean that you have to follow a diet which only revolves around low-fat food. These products are only low fat because they contain less saturated fat than their high-fat counterparts do. The problem is that saturated fat is still present. Moreover, the concentration is diluted with starches and carbohydrates making the food less diet friendly.
Furthermore, a low-fat diet will only prompt you into consuming more sugars and carbohydrates from white rice, pasta, potatoes etc. Note that having more carbs will only stimulate the production of more fat as excess carbs are stored in the form of fat in the body. Plus the insulin that is released to control the high carbohydrate levels to convert them into glucose cause high peaks in blood sugar levels, which can drop super fast. This results in increased hunger and cravings.
A final word
The important part to keeping your body healthy is to make sure you educate yourself on the ingredients of the things that you buy. If you maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should be able to avoid the bad fat and you will not be having to look at the low-fat items as often. If you watch your food labels, you can avoid many of the additives that are suspected in causing medical problems which can lead to a better, happier life for you and your family. Many people have found that a diet that is more rich in vegetables, whole grains, and fruit have lowered their bad cholesterol because they are avoiding the likely suspects. If you wish to change your diet, make sure to talk to your doctor to see if they have suggestions on keeping you healthy and happy for years to come.
To learn more about healthy dieting, visit: https://www.doctortipster.com/5584-10-golden-rules-for-a-healthy-weight-loss.html
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