Ah Yes, The Taboo F-Word
“I want to lose fat”. That is a saying that a lot of people want to do. This is especially true for people who vow to lose weight thanks to their New Year’s resolutions.
But, is fat really that bad? Well, there is actually a lot of definitions of fat, but in this article, I am talking about the fats that can be good for you.
Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid Of Fat
There are three macronutrients in our body: Carbohydrates, Protein, and Fat. These nutrients are actually necessary for our bodies to function. Carbohydrates are needed for energy; protein is required for building muscles (and its repair), and fat is also needed to supply the body with some much-needed energy as well.
The problem with today’s media is that we are taught to avoid fat at all costs. No, you shouldn’t avoid fat. You should avoid getting fat, but you should not stop eating fats- especially the healthy ones that are needed by our bodies.
Different Terms
Fats have a lot of names. Here are some of the terms that are being thrown around to denote fat:
- Animal Fats- lard, butter, fat in meats, cream
- Oils- Any substance that does not mix with water
- Fatty Acids- Ones that become solid at room temperature
- Lipids- encompasses all types of fat- no matter if they are liquid or solid.
Lipids are actually very important to the body and all animals should consume them as they are essential for good health.
The Different Types Of Fat
- Saturated Fats
These are fats that will turn solid if left at room temperatures. They often referred to as your regular fat and it is actually quite dense (hence the name). Each fat molecule, when you look at them from a microscope, is actually covered in hydrogen atoms.
Although saturated fats are good for the body, too much consumption of it would be dangerous as it will increase your cholesterol levels and even bring you closer to contracting heart disease and even stroke.
Saturated fats are found in animal meat, dairy products, and they are even found in some processed foods as well. A healthy diet should consist of at least 10% saturated fats from the above sources. They can be found in seeds, nuts, avocados, and some vegetables.
- Unsaturated Fats
Considered as “Good” fats, Unsaturated fats can either be monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. They can be distinguished easily by the naked eye as it turns liquid at room temperature. You can find them in plant oils and other sources of “Good” fat.
- Monounsaturated Fats
It got its moniker from the fact that each fat molecule only has one hydrogen molecule bonded to it.
If consumed in the right amounts, monounsaturated fats can help lower LDL or the bad cholesterol levels in your body.
- Polyunsaturated Fats
Found mostly in oily fish, polyunsaturated fats can actually help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
- Trans Fats
Trans fats are not produced naturally. They are synthetically made and they are found in some of the processed foods that you see on the market.
They do not provide any nutritional value and they contribute to higher cholesterol levels and anything negative associated with fats. Stay away from Trans Fats at all costs! Too much of something can be a bad thing, so moderation is key. An increase in fat content in your body can present a host of new problems like an unhealthy heart, severe weight gain which could be detrimental or even premature ejaculation. You fellas wouldn’t want that now, would you.