Avoid The Trans Fats

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All fats are not created equal. Some fats are health-promoting while others are linked to disease. Proper amounts of healthy fats help to keep your immune system strong, while promoting taste and satisfaction.
The people living on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, from Spain and Portugal on the west all the way to the Middle East, have traditionally consumed a large percentage of their calories from fat. Unlike today's Western diet which is high in unhealthy trans and saturated fat, the Mediterranean people traditionally consumed an unrefined plant-based diet with moderate amounts of fish and poultry, wine and occasional sweets.

In the late '70s and '80's, "fat free" dominated the weight-loss industry. But we've learned from large, well-controlled studies that people who eat healthy fats from fish, plant oils, nuts and seeds enjoy longer, healthier lives.

Fat plays many important roles in our diet. It's a major source of energy, necessary for absorption and transport of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K... and carotenoids, which function as antioxidants. Dietary fat provides "essential" fatty acids necessary for growth, cell development and maintaining healthy tissues, especially arteries and nerves. @health can provide you with an essential oil supplement that provides all of these and more. Taken daily can greatly aid in improving your immune system, curbing cravings and metabolizing your stored fat.

Most importantly, fat tastes good. Fat adds "mouth feel" to food, making it more palatable and enjoyable. When you enjoy your diet, even if you're restricting calories, you're more satisfied.
Fat has 9 calories per gram, more than double the 4 calories per gram in protein and carbohydrates, so you need to watch your portion sizes with fatty foods. That's where @health helps. We provide balanced meal plans, designed especially for your body, that include the healthiest fats in the portion size that's just right for your needs... and weight goals.

Some fats are bad for your heart. High amounts of saturated fat, linked to high "bad" LDL cholesterol, is found in marbled and fatty meats, the skin of poultry and whole-milk dairy products. Trans fat from hydrogenated fat is linked to both high LDL and lowered HDL cholesterol. Always avoid hydrogenated fat, mainly found in margarine and shortening, commercially-made fried foods, crackers, cookies, cakes and other baked and packaged foods.

Best Fats

Monounsaturated Oils:

• Olive, canola and peanut oils are highest in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats

• Nuts & Seeds: all nuts contain differing amounts of healthy monounsaturated and poly-unsaturated oils: almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts and cashews; sunflower, pumpkin and flax seeds

• Fish: Omega-3 fatty acids found in certain varieties of fish. Your best choices are salmon (especially wild salmon), tuna, mackerel, swordfish and sardines. Other good seafood choices include all fin fish, shellfish, clams, scallops, shrimp, oysters and lobster.

• Avocado is also a great source of monounsaturated fat.

Avoid These Fats!

Trans fat is found in margarine, hydrogenated vegetable oils in commercially-prepared baked goods, snack foods and processed foods, including fast foods.