Eat FAT...Not THAT

For years we have been taught that eating a diet high in FAT is what is making America unhealthy. The Standard American Diet is full of processed, refined foods stripped from their nutrients and laden with toxic chemicals. Dressed wearing the tempting “low fat” label, these items sit on supermarket shelves nationwide. Instead of reaching for eggs in the morning, we are reaching for low calorie, low fat options (like a Sara Lee “low fat” blueberry muffin) void of all nutritional value. As a society, we are instructed to avoid obesity and heart disease by limiting the amount of FAT we consume. What if I challenged all of that…and told you that FAT was not your FOE…but your FRIEND.

The human body is an amazing machine. If given the right nutrients it utilizes them for energy and overall health. Most people complain of headaches, fatigue, depression, and other symptoms that are caused by chronic inflammation within our bodies. The obesity rate has doubled by 50% in the last 100 years leaving Americans sicker than ever. I can promise you that it is NOT from eating too much FAT. Our diets in the last century have gone from being 75% fat to being replaced by 75% refined carbs.

Consumption of marketed “low fat” healthy processed carbs is no different than eating a bowl of M& M’s (with the exception of potential portion size and calorie count). Our bodies convert processed carbs to glucose and thus store it as FAT. Eating refined carbohydrates also causes a roller coaster ride for our blood sugar, causing extreme highs and lows in energy and mood. Often after consumption of these convenience foods we are left unsatisfied, fatigued, and hungry within an hour.

Eating healthy kinds of FAT is the cornerstone of a healthy diet and it is readily used by our bodies for energy and nutrients. Our brains are made up of 60% FAT. Eating a diet low in FAT and high in processed carbs will not only cause weight gain but can also rob us of vitamins essential for brain function and our children’s brain development. Proper brain development, maximizing energy and reducing chronic inflammation and weight gain can be achieved by limiting the amount of “low fat” foods we select and instead replacing them with avocado, nuts, eggs, oils, lean meats and fish.

Diets rich in FAT and whole grain carbohydrates, versus REFINED carbs, have a lower glycemic index thus providing sustained energy and regulation of blood sugar.

Try using avocado to replace mayo in recipes; add nut butters to apples, eat whole grain breads and smoothies for snacks. When making dessert, substitute whole grain flours and coconut oil for shortening or vegetable oil and…

Next time you are out to dinner with friends or family…pass the guacamole, please!

Guacamole