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Are there really any good fats out there?
By
Cruz Rios, BS, CPT
Most of us do NOT understand what the difference is between trans-fatty acids, which food companies love to use because it prolongs their products shelf life. saturated fats and unsaturated fats. Some people also dont know what can they do for you nor what types of foods are saturated with them. Below you may find a brief-explanation of what I mean.
1. Trans fatty acids They are the worst of all the fats and should never be consumed especially at huge amounts. It raises bad cholesterol LDL, decreases the good cholesterol HDL. In fact, some researches believe trans fat which is the only artificial fat in the diet that can actually affect how cells process energy, leading to diabetes and contributing to obesity. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (meaning adding hydrogen into the vegetable oil) is used to keep cookies crisp and frostings creamy because the fat stays solid at room temperature, holds up under processing and is cheap. Examples: cookies, cakes, crackers donuts, breaded fish sticks,
rolls, stick margarine, potato chips, buttermilk waffles, jell-o pudding snacks fried foods, including French fries and other processed foods.
2. Saturated fat From animal products and dairy products It raises the good and bad cholesterol. Examples of foods high in saturated fat are: seafood, chocolate, butter and coconuts.
3. Unsaturated fat They are the good fat because the decrease the bad cholesterol LDL while increasing the good cholesterol HDL. They are derived from plants such as certain palms, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Example of foods high in unsaturated fat is avocado, olive oil, canola oil and nuts.
Hope you think twice before you buy your groceries next time.
Be wise, keep that heart healthy.
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