Fats and Weight Loss

by Lisa P | More from this Blogger

22 Apr 2008 07:43 AM

Impossible, you say?

Poppycock!

Yes, the crazy truth is that we actually need some fats in our diet in order to maintain good health. (Fats are especially needed for proper brain function.) We have to be a little selective about the fats we consume when trying to lose weight but we shouldn't, by any means, cut out all fats.

Small doses of monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats are good. Trans fats and saturated fats are bad. For instance, cooking in butter isn't the best idea but cooking in olive oil is a great idea. Obviously, we need to be mindful of the caloric content in the servings of fats we have so fried chicken cooked in olive oil isn't exactly a healthy choice simply because we're looking at the consumption of a lot of fat. When it comes to fats, there is most definitely such a thing as too much of a good thing!

The most important fats to be sure you consume while dieting are essential fatty acids like those found naturally in fish and seafood. Eating fish at least once a week is a great habit to get into if you're trying to lose weight. A simple rule of thumb with fish is the darker the fish, the more fat it contains. For example, salmon is an excellent source of essential fatty acids. It is higher in calories than most lighter fishes but healthy none the less. If you don't care for the taste of salmon, try a lighter fish like flounder, tilapia or sole. They are lighter in calories and lighter on the taste buds. If you enjoy grilling, you can easily buy frozen fillets of fish that can be grilled either on your outdoor grill or indoors on a George Foreman style grill. Just spray the grill with some nonstick cooking spray, like Pam Olive Oil Spray, and cook until tender. Sprinkle a little lemon juice on the finished product and you've got an amazingly healthy form of protein.

Swearing off all fats isn't a great idea when dieting. A little fat in a meal helps to create a feeling of satiety (satisfied after a meal). Most companies will increase carbohydrate content of a product when they cut out fat. For instance, I am a big fan of Dannon Light & Fit yogurt because it is so low in carbohydrates and sugar but the new Dannon Light & Fit 0% Plus (the non-fat version) actually has more sugar and carbohydrates to make up for the loss of fats. Not a great trade off for people who want to lose weight as the carbohydrates and sugar just make you feel more hungry.

The moral of this story: Fats are not all bad. Just select your fats carefully.

Learn more about Lisa P

Lisa used to be a freelance writer and Community Manager for Families.com, but she has finally made the jump to novelist.

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