Why Fat Makes You Thin

slim body fat

Which of these statements would you choose? Eating fat makes you thin or eating fat burns fat. Well, looking at the statements objectively, they both mean the same thing.

While most people still don’t know the right choices to make on their dietary needs to suit their goals, the common knowledge surrounding fats is still very misleading. To the vast majority of people, eating fat to them means getting fat. It’s amazing to find out that this lie has been with us for decades.

Fat, as we know, carries more calories per gram than proteins or carbohydrates. It is from this that the grossly misleading statement is hinged from; that eating fat makes you fat. An important reflective question we may ask ourselves is, why is it then that we have cut back on fat, obesity rates are on the rise more than anytime in history?

fatty foods

Some years back, after many reached a consensus that eating fat makes one fat, supermarkets responded with shelves upon shelves of fat-free products and this contributed to the spreading of this myth. With modern research, when it comes down to eating fat, you can fear no longer.

So what’s the Science behind this fact?

Our bodies are incredibly complex. Hormones play a huge part in regulating everything, and body weight is no different. It turns out that if you want to burn your own body fat for energy (which is essential if you want to lose weight), you must have low insulin levels. Insulin, you see, tells fat cells to pull fatty acids out of the blood and to keep fat in the fat cells. Whenever you eat carbohydrates, you body floods your bloodstream with insulin.

healthy fat

So eating more carbohydrates means less time in fat burning mode. Which means more fat accumulation in the fat cells. Which means hunger and weight gain. Eating more fat and fewer carbohydrates means easier fat burning, less hunger, and a better shot at losing weight! It is that simple.

What makes us fat then? It is refined carbohydrates and not fats!

Here are some examples of fatty foods you can enjoy :

Avocados

avocado

Avocados are exceptional fruits, rich in monounsaturated fat and fibre - both of which help in lowering bad cholesterol, LDL and raising good cholesterol, HDL. Substituting avocados in place of other saturated fats also improves levels of lutein, an antioxidant associated with heart health. All in all, avocadies are high in hearth-healthy fats.

Olive oil

olive-oil

Despite being an oil, it is naturally free of cholesterol, trans fat, sugar and gluten. It is the kind of good fat that the body needs. Olive oil is a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids that help raising good HDL and lowering bad LDL cholesterol. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is claimed to be the healthiest fat on earth.

Fatty fish

fatty-fish

They are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 increases good HDL cholesterol and lowers inflammation and stroke risks. Studies done on adults who ate non fried (broiled or baked) fish regularly during their lives had lower rates of heart disease and strokes. Oily fish types include trout, salmon, mackerel and tuna.

Coconut oil

coconut-oil

Considered a “superfood”, Coconut oil is riddled with benefits. Weight loss is also among the list of benefits linked to coconut oil intake. As such, many people looking to shed excess weight add this tropical oil to their meals, snacks, and beverages, including coffee drinks and smoothies. Along with increasing the fat-burn rate, it also reduces hunger and appetite.