Fat
Fat: To Eat or
Not To Eat
by Mary
Howard, RN
You need some
fat in your diet but let's look at how much and what kind is
best.
Processed
shortenings that are hydrogenated have an extra molecule
added to them to make them hard at room temperature.
Vegetable oil is hydrogenated to make it thicker.
Shortenings undergo even more processing than oils because,
not only are they hydrogenated, they also go through a
bleaching process.
Any time you
put a highly processed, chemically altered substance into
your body, you run the risk of your body not knowing what to
do with it. Your body will stockpile it as fat or in one of
your organs. Later, your body may encapsulate it to protect
you from harm. This is how many cancers and tumors begin.
When your immune system is compromised, as from illness,
weight loss or stress toxins from chemically altered foods
that you ate in the past can start to surface and make you
feel very weak, tired and sick.
Extra Virgin
Olive Oil is a very healthy oil to use because it is not
subject to high heat during extraction. Animal fats can be
okay and actually healthy if the animal is raised on green
pasture. Animals raised on pasture have the fat soluble
vitamins (A, D, E, and K) present in the fat. However,
beware of fat from animals raised on hay and grains because
they contain little to none of these vitamins.
Fat is also
where many toxins and hormones are stored. If you don't know
where your animal fats like butter, lard and meat fats come
from, you could be increasing your risk of taking in toxins
and hormones you do not want. (Meaning, if you buy it in a
grocery store, you probably don't know where it's coming
from, if you buy it from the farmer, you can ask exactly
what is going into his animals.)
Any fat in its
natural state is better for you than processed fat. There is
little evidence that fats eaten in their natural state
increase LDL (bad Cholesterol). These fats include butter,
lard, eggs, and meat fat. Some of these fats can even
increase HDL's (good Cholesterol).
How much fat
we should consume? Remember the motto, "Everything In
Moderation." It is a fact that 1 gram of fat contains 9
calories, while 1 gram of protein or carbohydrate contains 4
calories. A calorie is a calorie whether it is fat, protein
or carbohydrate. Babies need high amounts of fats in their
diet compared to adults, but it needs to come from natural
sources. Eating foods in their natural form is always your
safest bet.
For an
alternative to Margarine try this
Real Butter Spread
