This might come as a surprise, but consuming fats in your diet are actually part of a crucial formula to keep your body healthy.
Despite what we have been told in the past, fats are not the enemy and there isn’t any need to eliminate it from your diet.
Not only are they essential for growth and development, fats also provide energy, maintain healthy cell membranes, protect your organs and provide energy.
But before you go and order yourself a pizza with extra cheese, you should know that not all fats are good fats.
Ellen DeGeneres knows pizza is a treat food, not an everyday food.
MUFAs, or monounsaturated fats, and PUFAs or polyunsaturated fats, are two types of ‘good fats’ which are considered essential for your body’s optimal health.
Foods that contain MUFAs include whole milk products, nuts, olives and avocados.
Not only are all of these delicious, they actually help to lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease – unlike their cousin trans fats.
Can you guess which celebrity loves avocado enough to ink it on her skin? It’s Miley Cyrus, of course!
PUFAs on the other hand include fish such as salmon, mackerel and trout as well as sunflower oil and sesame seeds.
These foods, much like MUFAs help to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease, but also provide essential fats that your body needs and can’t produce itself – such as omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids which aid in joint pain, memory retainment and health baby development.
Looking for a healthy salmon recipe? Try this Jerk salmon with yoghurt potatoes from our friends over at Food To Love!
So, where does weight loss fit into all of this?
According to Keri Glassman, nutritionist and owner of Nutritious Life meal system, good fats help the body to burn fats by acting like a calorie-burning fuel.
“When you don’t have any fat in your diet it’s like you don’t have fuel to burn calories,” she said to Livestrong.
What’s more, good fats also help the body feel fuller for longer – eliminating those post mealtime grumbles and midnight snack urges, meaning you’re less likely to consume excess sugars from unnecessary snacking.
The always-flawless Chrissy Teigen starts her day with avocado.
But perhaps the most important benefit of good fats lies within its ability to work hand in hand with the vitamins and minerals required for a healthy weight.
Nutrients such as vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble, which means that without fat, the body is unable to absorb them.
Without the ability to actually take in the goodness from your vitamin-rich meals, your body can become vitamin deficient leading to brittle bones, muscular pain, dermatitis and even blood clotting.
So next time you make yourself a nutrient rich meal, make sure to add some avocado or olive oil!
Avocados can make a delicious addition to almost any meals. They can even be used as a fat substitute in baking or in the place of butter. Try this poached egg and avocado bruschetta for your next brunch!
