The Importance Of Good Fats

Many people believe that this is impossible. When we talk about fats, we always think that they have a negative effect on our body. But this is a huge mistake. Eliminating fats completely from our diet is never a good idea , since good fats must be ingested every day.

Fats are one of the basic nutrients in our diet . Some foods contain healthy fats , while others have fats that are harmful to our health.

Our body requires the necessary nutrients to function at its best, among which are good fats. To maintain good health we must eat the right fats every day.

Among fats, as noted in a Mayo Clinic article, we find unhealthy (saturated and trans) and healthy (monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and omega 3) fats. Some studies indicate that the intake of mono and polyunsaturated fats would help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.

The reality is that fats are essential for the proper functioning of the body, being at the same level as carbohydrates and proteins. The drawback is that, many times, the current diet does not cover the need for good fats, being abundant in harmful ones.

The important thing is to know which are the favorable fats for our health and to see what fats we consume on a daily basis.

 What are fats for?

• They would stimulate the body to properly process vitamins (A, D, E, K). One study specifically suggests that it would aid in the assimilation of vitamin D.
• They provide essential fatty acids that would help growth, mainly in children.
• They are basic “gasoline” for our body.

What are the good fats?

They are the ones that are unprocessed or transformed. Thus, our body can process them and take the nutrients it needs. They are what we call unsaturated fats.

Ideas for correctly deciding what fats to eat

A Harvard article points out that these selection criteria for fat intake must be taken into account:

• First, control the consumption of saturated fat as much as possible. Saturated ones are those from animal sources such as dairy products and fatty meat.
• Second, choose polyunsaturated fats and try to eat foods rich in fatty acids. Omega 3s are found in fish oils (blue and cold water). As well as whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Omega-6 fatty acids are present in sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and in vegetable oils. Also, in the wheat germ, in the avocado (avocado) and in some nuts.

• Lastly, try to minimize your consumption of processed and fast foods .

Some foods that contain good fats

Some of the foods that contain fatty acids good for our health are the majority of oils. That is, flaxseed oil, olive oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, etc.

They can also be found in nuts such as cashews, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, etc. Other foods with good fats are avocados, fish, and shellfish.

Finally, another thing to keep in mind is that when cooking them we can reduce or even destroy the amount and effectiveness of these fats. Therefore, whenever possible, it is interesting to eat these foods raw.

Summarizing…

The consumption of fats is decisive for an optimal functioning of the organism. However, when choosing them, it is best to opt for the so-called “good fats”, which provide important health benefits.

Ensuring its consumption helps to maintain an optimal energy level and, in addition, would prevent some diseases (for example, omega 3 would have a protective effect on the heart). In addition, they are contained in foods that are usually very healthy and rich in nutrients. Include them in your diet!