We are a country who, as a whole, is obsessed with eating foods that are low-fat and non-fat. We have replaced traditional foods like butter and cream with processed vegetable oils, soft margarines, and skim or low-fat milk.
I too, for 24 years, followed the low-fat recommendations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Pyramid, American Heart Association, and several other organizations that support a diet low in saturated fat.
Yet, how effective have these recommendations been given that an estimated 34.2% of US adults 20 years and older are overweight according to the 2007/2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey . The data shows an increase in obesity and overweight trends since the 1980's.
Being overweight may increase your risk for developing many health problems including: type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, sleep apnea, gallbladder disease, fatty liver disease, pregnancy complications and more (1).
If you are overweight and/or suffering from any of the abovementioned illnesses, this could likely mean that you are "undernourished," meaning your body is lacking essential nutrients that it needs for health and healing…and many of these vital nutrients are derived from fat.
I used to suffer from severe anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, digestive disorders and more. It wasn't until I took control of my own health and began studying about proper nutrition that I discovered the food I had been eating was all wrong! My body was nutrient deficient and once I started eating nutrient-rich foods, like those that come from fat, that is when my body began to heal.
Are you fat deficient?
Have you avoided butter or other foods you know contain saturated fat only to find that:
- You have either gained weight or can't lose the extra pounds?
- You suffer from low energy?
- You experience cravings for fatty processed foods like chips, doughnuts, and ice cream?
- You feel hungry again almost right after you just finished eating?
- You suffer from anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, digestive disorders or hormonal imbalances?
If you said yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from a dietary fat deficiency.
You might think you are making a better choice for your health because you used vegetable oil in your baking instead of butter, but you can actually negatively impact your health by doing this. Your body needs fats for countless bodily functions.
The fat I am referring to is saturated fat. Yes, the very fat several sources tell you to stay away from. Saturated fats, like those found in butter, cream, raw cheeses, and red meats, can be good for you!
Saturated fats are a key part of our body's cell membranes. When you eat too much of the wrong kinds of fats (processed vegetable oils like soy, safflower, corn, etc.), and your body does not receive enough of the right kind of fats to build healthy cells, this is when you become susceptible to a whole slew of health problems. Our cells need saturated fat to function properly.
Saturated fats also help your brain! Did you know that "sixty percent of the brain is composed of fat? (2)" When you eat saturated fats, you are nourishing your brain cells. Without enough saturated fats, your brain chemistry may become effected.
Your hormones are another substance that needs the right kinds of fats to function properly. Your body cannot make stress and sex hormones without certain vitamins that are obtained solely from fatty animal foods.
Finally, eating more saturated fats can help you lose weight!! When you eat healthy fats, you are providing proper nourishment to your body, which helps your body function optimally. In addition to this, eating healthy fats triggers a very important weight loss must: feeling full!
When you eat healthy fats, like those found in butter, cream, meats and eggs, your body actually produces a hormone that tells your brain you've eaten enough. By feeling full and giving your body the fat it needs, you won't feel hungry again so soon after eating and you won't feel the need to stuff yourself on empty calories like pizza, sodas, and processed sweets.
What kinds of fats should I be eating?
The forms of saturated fat that you should be consuming come from:
- Eggs – from pasture-fed animals
- Butter – ideally from organic, grass-fed cows
- Cream – preferably from organic, grass-fed cows
- Meats (beef, lamb, game, and poultry) – from pasture fed animals
- Shellfish – wild caught from unpolluted waters
- Cod liver oil – cod liver oil supplements are a great way to get vitamins A and D in the diet (these vitamins can only be obtained from fatty animal foods)
Depending on where you live, you can find most of these items in health food stores. For online sources to buy from, check out www.westonaprice.org .
By eating a diet that includes more saturated fats from the right sources, you can see and feel amazing results in your body. I truly believe it is because of butter that I now live anxiety free! I eat eggs (over easy so the yolks are uncooked) practically every day! I snack on raw cheese all the time! I love whipping fresh cream to put on berries! Does this sound like a diet your doctor would recommend?
These foods taste good and are satisfying for a reason. Your body wants you to enjoy these rich, delicious foods provided by nature. Don't be afraid to listen to your body!
In addition to including these sources of fat into your diet, remember to also eat plenty fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
If any of you are interested in learning more, I highly recommend the following books. They are both a great place to get started learning more about the importance of saturated fat in the body.
What are your questions after reading this? How does this effect the way you look at fat? Will you choose butter or margarine the next time you have toast or make whole grain muffins? I would love for you to share your comments below or visit me on Facebook.
Health and blessings!
Randi
Randi's passion is to teach people the importance of getting into the kitchen to cook! When people get into the kitchen to cook, they can control their health and their waistline. She uses fresh ingredients and traditional foods in her cooking like butter. She is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, exercise enthusiast and rep for Young Living Essential Oils (natural solutions for your health).
1. "Do you know the health risks of being overweight?" WIN: Weight Control Information Network. US Department of Health and Human Services. Dec. 2007. Web. 21 Aug 2011.
2. Enig, Dr. Mary, and Sally Fallon. Eat Fat, Lose Fat. New York: First Plume Printing, April 2006. Print.
We are a country who, as a whole, is obsessed with eating foods that are low-fat and non-fat. We have replaced traditional foods like butter and cream with processed vegetable oils, soft margarines, and skim or low-fat milk.
I too, for 24 years, followed the low-fat recommendations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Pyramid, American Heart Association, and several other organizations that support a diet low in saturated fat.
Yet, how effective have these recommendations been given that an estimated 34.2% of US adults 20 years and older are overweight according to the 2007/2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey . The data shows an increase in obesity and overweight trends since the 1980's.
Being overweight may increase your risk for developing many health problems including: type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, sleep apnea, gallbladder disease, fatty liver disease, pregnancy complications and more (1).
If you are overweight and/or suffering from any of the abovementioned illnesses, this could likely mean that you are "undernourished," meaning your body is lacking essential nutrients that it needs for health and healing…and many of these vital nutrients are derived from fat.
I used to suffer from severe anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, digestive disorders and more. It wasn't until I took control of my own health and began studying about proper nutrition that I discovered the food I had been eating was all wrong! My body was nutrient deficient and once I started eating nutrient-rich foods, like those that come from fat, that is when my body began to heal.
Are you fat deficient?Have you avoided butter or other foods you know contain saturated fat only to find that:
If you said yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from a dietary fat deficiency.
You might think you are making a better choice for your health because you used vegetable oil in your baking instead of butter, but you can actually negatively impact your health by doing this. Your body needs fats for countless bodily functions.
The fat I am referring to is saturated fat. Yes, the very fat several sources tell you to stay away from. Saturated fats, like those found in butter, cream, raw cheeses, and red meats, can be good for you!
Saturated fats are a key part of our body's cell membranes. When you eat too much of the wrong kinds of fats (processed vegetable oils like soy, safflower, corn, etc.), and your body does not receive enough of the right kind of fats to build healthy cells, this is when you become susceptible to a whole slew of health problems. Our cells need saturated fat to function properly.
Saturated fats also help your brain! Did you know that "sixty percent of the brain is composed of fat? (2)" When you eat saturated fats, you are nourishing your brain cells. Without enough saturated fats, your brain chemistry may become effected.
Your hormones are another substance that needs the right kinds of fats to function properly. Your body cannot make stress and sex hormones without certain vitamins that are obtained solely from fatty animal foods.
Finally, eating more saturated fats can help you lose weight!! When you eat healthy fats, you are providing proper nourishment to your body, which helps your body function optimally. In addition to this, eating healthy fats triggers a very important weight loss must: feeling full!
When you eat healthy fats, like those found in butter, cream, meats and eggs, your body actually produces a hormone that tells your brain you've eaten enough. By feeling full and giving your body the fat it needs, you won't feel hungry again so soon after eating and you won't feel the need to stuff yourself on empty calories like pizza, sodas, and processed sweets.
What kinds of fats should I be eating?The forms of saturated fat that you should be consuming come from:
Depending on where you live, you can find most of these items in health food stores. For online sources to buy from, check out www.westonaprice.org .
By eating a diet that includes more saturated fats from the right sources, you can see and feel amazing results in your body. I truly believe it is because of butter that I now live anxiety free! I eat eggs (over easy so the yolks are uncooked) practically every day! I snack on raw cheese all the time! I love whipping fresh cream to put on berries! Does this sound like a diet your doctor would recommend?
These foods taste good and are satisfying for a reason. Your body wants you to enjoy these rich, delicious foods provided by nature. Don't be afraid to listen to your body!
In addition to including these sources of fat into your diet, remember to also eat plenty fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
If any of you are interested in learning more, I highly recommend the following books. They are both a great place to get started learning more about the importance of saturated fat in the body.
What are your questions after reading this? How does this effect the way you look at fat? Will you choose butter or margarine the next time you have toast or make whole grain muffins? I would love for you to share your comments below or visit me on Facebook.
Health and blessings!
Randi