Let's Talk Healthy Fats on Mardi Gras!

It's Mardi Gras! What better time to talk about F-A-T!

Mardi Gras is traditionally celebrated on "Fat Tuesday," the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. The French name Mardi Gras means 'Fat Tuesday' from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent in preparation for fasting and abstinence 🙊

Now, if there were a nutrient that gets more than its fair share of the blame for health problems throughout history, the award would go to fat.

Imagine fat molecules as tiny, shapeless, cartoonish creatures, running through our bodies, building our hormones, protecting our brains, and keeping us warm during winter days. Yet, the entire time they work hard for us, they feel grumpy because no one seems to appreciate them.

We hear it all the time: fat is BAD for you!

"Drink skim milk instead of whole."

"Get fat-free yogurt instead of full-fat."

"Have an egg white omelet and get rid of the yolks!"

"Trim the fat off your meat and remove the skin before you eat it!"

The sad truth is that while well-meaning, those recommendations are off-base.

Fat is one of the three macronutrients (the other two being protein and carbohydrates) your body needs to be healthy! That means it's one of the three main ways the body obtains energy and calories.

The situation is pretty much the same as with protein and carbs. It would be best if you had them, and the only thing you have to know is which fats are healthy for you.

Fats are divided into unsaturated, saturated, and trans fats.

Unsaturated Fats: are usually found in fish, nuts, oils like olive oil, avocado, and nuts and seeds. At room temperature, unsaturated fats are liquid, not solid.

Saturated Fats: are found in animal products, such as meat and dairy. Coconut oil is another great example! They are solid at room temperature – like cooled bacon grease.

Trans Fats: are manufactured and designed to lengthen the shelf life of processed foods. They are semi-solid at room temperature found in fried and processed foods, spreads and baked goods. Trans fats are VERY unhealthy. They are harmful to your body and are proven to increase your risk of stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Not suitable for anyone.

BUT … it's essential to understand that eating fat does not make us fat.

If you're looking for the shady criminal to blame, look no further than the processed carbs, sugar, and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) that finds its way into almost everything we eat.

Of course, it's important not to overeat healthy fats, as too much of anything will impact your waistline.

Healthy fats should be a part of your regular diet, and they are never something you should be afraid of eating.

This week, focus on making HEALTHY fat decisions! Here are some things ways to decrease unhealthy and increase healthy fats:

• Reduce or eliminate processed foods
• Cold water fish (like salmon)
• Cook with coconut oil
• Add olives or avocado to your salad
• Snacking on raw nuts and seeds
• Add a daily Omega 3 supplement if you're not getting enough fat in your diet
• Add a daily service of our SIPFIT MCT & COLLAGEN!

Check the serving sizes on your fats because it's easy to overdo them! If you're using an online food journal, check there, and if you're not, do a quick Google search to put your mind at ease.

Are you up for the challenge this week? Your brain and body will thank you!

If you're struggling with weight, energy, motivation and mindset, diet is integral in opening up the freedom to feel and live better. Book a 30-minute consult call with Brenley to determine what options are available that best suit you to achieve your desired lifestyle changes.

Written by Brenley Cunningham - Founder and CEO of DripFit® and LivBTR™ Wellness Solutions with close to two decades of experience as a certified personal trainer, an integrative nutritional coach (sports nutrition, holistic nutrition) and hormone health consultant.