Healthy Cook Recipes: Is Fat ‘Bad’?

Is Fat ‘Bad’?

The simple answer to the question in this article’s title is no, fat is not bad. It is true, however, that not all fats were created equal, and some fats are best avoided, whereas others can be actively included in your diet.

Photo: sciencedaily.com

A typical, healthy Mediterranean diet contains many foods that are high in unsaturated fat. Unsaturated fat should form part of every healthy person’s diet and is essential for things like healthy nails, hair and skin, as well as general health.

Foods that contain unsaturated fats vital for our health include avocadoes, olives, nuts, seeds and the staple of Mediterranean cooking: olive oil. Choose spreads with olive oil for your bread and spread thinly for a healthier breakfast. For additional benefits from your bread, choose a wheat germ loaf from Hovis bread.

Saturated fat is generally found in greasy, fried food and junk food such as crisps, milk chocolate, burgers and so on. Limit this food as much as possible as it has very few health benefits and too much saturated fat is thought to cause a myriad of healthy problems, as well as an increased likelihood of obesity.

When cooking, think like a Mediterranean and stir fry fresh vegetables in a little olive oil, rather than deep frying chips. For protein, fish such as salmon is full of nutrients including essential Omega fatty acids. Don’t be fooled by the name – this is another type of fat that is very good for you.

Swap saturated fats for unsaturated fats wherever possible to improve your diet but remember that you should still aim to have plenty of foods that are naturally low in fat, such as fresh fruit and vegetables and grain-based foods such as bread, pasta, rice and potatoes; these types of foods should make up the main bulk of your diet.

2:18 AM | Labels: diet, fat, food, Mediterranean diet |