Many people are choosing to follow a lot fat diet, and the food manufacturers are cashing in. Grocery shelves are filled with low fat or no fat alternatives for virtually everything. However, there are several pitfalls to avoid if you decide to follow a low fat diet.
Not Looking at the Big Picture
Your favorite ice cream brand has just come out with a non-fat, chocolate version of your top indulgence, and you’re stoked. No more fat? Well, you can have a mixing bowl full instead of your usual soup bowl serving, right? Absolutely not. Don’t be lulled by low fat versions of unhealthy foods. Check the labels, and don’t just read the fat content.
Often, low fat versions may contain extra to double the sugar or carbs. That sinful taste has to come from somewhere. You thought fat was bad, wait till your body gets a blast of extra sugar. Unless you plan to run 10 miles before bed, all that sugar is heading to fat town. Just like
low calorie diets, low fat diets generally fail and cause more setbacks than progress.
Not Focusing on Foods That are Naturally Low in Fat
While low fat versions of your favorite guilty pleasures can be just as unhealthy as their high fat alternatives because of massive amounts of sugar and high calories (I know, I wish this was a dirty lie too), there are many healthy foods that are naturally low in fat. Sure, an apple or some cucumber slices may not be as tempting as other choices, but more fruits and veggies are a perfect choice for anyone trying to reduce their fat intake.
Overlooking the Importance of Fat
If you cut out all or most fat from your diet, you would be a very unhealthy person indeed. Fat is essential. It keeps our skin looking healthy, aids in vitamin absorption, and provides a feeling of fullness. There’s a reason why you can eat the entire container of fat free peanut butter and still crave more.
The bottom line is that you should not consider fat ‘bad.’ Certainly, most of us do eat too much of it and get it from the wrong sources. But most nutritionists say that 25% of our calories should come from fat. The bottom line? Reduce, don’t eliminate.
Looking at Fats as Evil
While some fats are the artery-clogging, waist-expanding variety, many are actually very healthy for you. It is important to realize this, and to change the way you look at fat. There are good fats and no-so-great fats. Knowing the difference, and making your choices based on this information is a great way to lose weight and be healthier. Here is a breakdown of fats you should indulge in on a regular basis, and those that you should avoid like the plague.
Best-These are fats derived from natural sources. Foods like olives (and their oil), avocados, and nuts like almonds and pecans offer a ready store of healthy fats. They can also be used to make you feel full. Sprinkling a few almond slivers on your favorite salad will leave you feeling full and satisfied in a way that lettuce alone simply can’t.
Best: Omega 3 fatty acids are found in substantial quantities in fish. These health boosting fats are great for you. They are even thought to lower the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, and may even help prevent some types of cancer.
Good-These do not have to be taken out of your diet altogether. Salad dressings, mayonnaise, and sunflower seeds all contain polyunsaturated fats-a good kind.
Bad-Saturated and trans fats should be avoided. They are found in bacon, butter, cream cheese, and ice cream (yeah, all the good stuff).
The Verdict
The bottom line is that reducing fat intake is a good strategy for anyone who wants to be healthier and lose weight. As long as you don’t try to take fat out of your life altogether, you consider calories, carbs, and sugars when considering low fat alternatives, and try to indulge in healthy fats more often, a low fat diet can put you on the road to fewer clogged arteries and more jeans that fit.
Find great low fat diet recipes here:
Low Fat Cooking.
