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I’ve come to the conclusion that I like fat more than I like carbs.
I shouldn’t be allowed to call myself a runner.
If I could do so healthily, I would live on nut butter, cheese, avocado, eggs, and fatty fish. While these foods are all staples in my diet, I do “try” to include other foods in my diet on a daily basis.
Grilled Salmon with Avocado Cream Sauce
I’ll admit that that I’ve done the whole “low fat” craze. Egg whites, fat free cheese (OMG that stuff gross), chicken breasts, ect…
While I’m not knocking these foods, dietary fat is essential. When I did a low fat diet, I noticed that my skin was always dry, my hair was thinner, and food just had no appeal.
Let’s face it, fat just tastes good.
Fat is actually considered a vital nutrient.
Dietary fat supplies essential fatty acids for growth, healthy skin, vitamin-absorption and regulation of bodily functions.
Fat comes in many forms, some harmful and some beneficial.
Let’s start with the harmful dietary fat…
- Saturated fat: This is a type of fat that comes mainly from animal sources. Saturated fat raises total blood cholesterol levels (LDL) cholesterol levels, which can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Some studies have shown that saturated fat may also increase your risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Trans fat: This is a type of fat that occurs naturally in some foods, especially from animals (this doesn’t bother me at all). On the other hand, most trans fats are made during food processing through partial hydrogenation of unsaturated fats. Studies have shown that man-made trans fat can increase LDL (bad) cholesterol and lower HDL(good) cholesterol. This can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.
These fast are solid at room temperature because of the high unsaturated fat content (like lard).
I WILL NOT EAT MAN MADE TRANS FATS.
I’m not knocking saturated fat, but I don’t think it should be a dietary staple.
On the the other hand, there are some healthy dietary fats out there…
1. Monounsaturated fat: This is a type of fat is found in a variety of foods and oils. Studies have shown that eating foods rich in monounsaturated fats…
- Improve blood cholesterol levels
- Benefit insulin levels and blood sugar control
2. Polyunsaturated fat: This is a type of fat found mostly in plant-based foods and oils. Studies have shown that eating foods rich in polyunsaturated fats…
- Improve blood cholesterol levels, which can decrease your risk of heart disease.
- Help decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Polyunsaturated fats also contain omega 3’s that benefit heart health.
- Omega-3s (found in most fatty fish) appear to decrease the risk of coronary artery disease.
Foods made up mostly of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature (like olive oil).
Fat makes me swoon. Please tell me I’m not the only one.
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{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Saturated fat has actually been proven to lower all of those bad numbers and be good for you – most people have been brought up thinking that animal fats are bad for you, but really, they aren’t at all.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/07/magazine/what-if-it-s-all-been-a-big-fat-lie.html
http://www.menshealth.com/health/saturated-fat
edgeof30 recently posted..This is why you’re still fat
I’m mainly talking about trans fat and things like lard. It gives me the willies!
Ok, besides the title cracking me up and me seriously never hearing the word “swoon” used in verbal speech before this point, love this. Completely agree on your take on fats… man-made trans fats are not meant to be eaten. And I’m definitely all for the healthy fats. Gotta love their health benefits!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..Super Cereal
Oh my god. I love healthy fats. I seriously devour so much cheese and eggs are some of my favorites. I could live off of fish and fat and maybe pancakes.
Hollie @lolzthatswim(andrun) recently posted..Big Birthdays Ahead
Totally with you on that… I rarely go a day without eating peanut or almond butter. And don’t get me started on avocadoes… they make even the most uninspired of sandwiches taste amazing.
Christine @ Burning It Off recently posted..A Little Post-Workout Nutrition Tip
The title of this post cracks me up! Fat makes me swoon too. I have almond butter and avocado EVERYday! If I don’t, then someone better call 911 because something is not right.
So now, you are not alone in the fat world! Those who run, eat fat (oh yeah, and carbs)
Caitlyn (The Spoonful of Life) recently posted..Apology
OMG that avocado is practically melting over that sandwich!
Alayna @ Thyme Bombe recently posted..I haz the sickies
Yay for fats!! I loooove them…especially in the form of avocadoes, nuts and CHOCOLATE. I hate that they get a bad rep, too. Whenever I mash up an avocado my mom goes, “You’re eating the WHOLE thing? Isn’t that a lot of fat?!” Yes indeed, mom, and that’s why I love them so much.
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine recently posted..Let Your Shoulder Lean
I love fat — and I don’t know why I’ve never tried your avocado breakfast sandwich. That looks amazing.
Holly @ The Runny Egg recently posted..Pizza Bread
I am obsessed with avocados, nuts and seeds, nut butters, chocolate, coconut… Mmmmm
!
I’m totally with you on the trans fat. I have a serious phobia of it and all my friends make fun of me for not eating boxed brownie mix or regular PB… But I just will NOT touch the stuff.
Emily recently posted..Central Park & Sushi Round Two
I do like a bit of fat
almonds are my fat of choice – I can’t get enough! I had a huge sack of them the other week, and they’re disappearing so fast..I grab a handful EVERY time I open the cupboard. Too tempting!
You are most definitly NOT the only one!!! NUt butters, salmon, avacado… omgggggggg yum!
I looove healthy fats. I think it’s helped with my hair.
Alaina recently posted..Quinoa Stir Fry
Whenever I eat guacamole, I sing a song in my head titled “Good Fat, Good Fat, Get in My Belly.”
So at least I have that going for me.
DC Runographer recently posted..Race to Stop the Silence 8K- Race Recap
I too like fat more than carbs. Craziness. I’m of the belief that one can NEVER have too much avocado, nut butter, olive oil… bring it on!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..My First Brussels
yeah you have a good point. Fat pretty much tastes awesome. Unfortunately I also love carbs equally as much…maybe I’ll start eating more fat in place of carbs!
amy@healthyhungryhappy.com recently posted..Funny Friday
Fat free cheese is possibly one of the most disgusting creations ever! lol. I love avocado, dark chocolate, and nut butter! Mmmm!
Fats and I have a love hate relationship. I’m learning to love them and I’ve noticed that adding a little healthy fat to every meal does keep me fuller longer. It’s a growing process.
Katy (The Singing Runner) recently posted..A Picture&8217s Worth A Thousand Words&8230
I love fats! I wish I could live on nut butter and avocados!
hippierunner recently posted..All You Need is Run
Nut butter is a food I used to avoid because I thought it had way too much fat…now, as you’ve said, fat is essential and has a lot of great benefits! If only my former self could see my current self eat peanut butter by the spoonful
Corey @ the runner’s cookie recently posted..The positive side of injury
YESSS! Fat also makes me swoon. I’m completely with you on the no trans-fat, though. I’m also trying to decrease my intake of saturated fat, but that darn cheese gets me every time!
Emily @ Comfortable Home Life recently posted..Vegan Zucchini Muffins
You’re not the only one! Food just wouldn’t taste the same without fat, and I eat olive oil, avocados, nuts, nut butters, & cheese almost daily. Here’s to healthy fats!
I love fats! In the form of nuts, nut butters, olive & coconut oils, avocados, but no animal fats for me. Oh yeah, I love me some (vegan) dark chocolate fats too
Sarah @ See Sarah Eat recently posted..Noelle’s “Natural Products Expo Prize Pack Giveaway”
The salmon + avocado cream sauce looks incredible! I love fats like nuts and avocados. People still believe that “fats are bad,” and I hate when people say they won’t eat peanut butter because it’s too high fat, even if I tell them it’s good fat!
Lauren recently posted..Show off your Smiles
thanks for posting this so many people (including dietetics students) are so against fat and it makes me crazy I love fat!! Especially coconut oil.
kate@ahealthypassion recently posted..Rainy Saturday
I’ve gotten into many arguments with Nutritionist professors about this. SO many of them adhere to the “low fat” regimen and it gets on my nerves.
Fat free products are not only disgusting, but they’re pointless. It makes more sense to eat a smaller, more satisfying portion of a full fat food than to shovel away tasteless fat free junk because it’s “better for you”.
Krystina (Organically Me) recently posted..Heads Up
A man after my own avocado-loving heart…
Nicole, RD recently posted..Balsamic Strawberry and Chickpea Couscous Happy Birthday- Lily!
You are definitely not the only one swooning over fat. I think I would go into serious withdrawal if someone took my nut butter stash away from me.
I would guess 60% of my diet is made up of fat. Maybe more! But, I feel healthier when I incorporate nutritious fats. And yes…they are freaking delicious
Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing recently posted..Sloppy Joe Lentil Poser
Haven’t we had the pro-saturated fat convo before? The unnatural saturated fats are awful, yes! But the natural ones are good
fat is in nut butter isn’t it?
diana@mymarblerye recently posted..Good News- Bad News- Worse News
I’m with you on everything you said– amen to that!
I used to fear fats, even the healthy ones, poly and mono, but now I can’t live without them at each meal. My fav ones being nut butter, avocado, coconut, seeds and goat cheese
Emilia recently posted..Ouch
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