SOME FACTS ON FATS 1

The information in this post comes from Dr. Reed Tuckson, the author of the book The Doctor in the Mirror.

• Fats provide fuel for the brain and the body.
• Fats help us feel satisfied.
• Fats allow us to absorb nutrients.
• 1/5 to 1/3 of your total daily calories should come from fat.
• Not all fats are good fats and it is important to know the difference. The three types of fats are Unsaturated, Saturated, and Trans Fats. Following is a brief description of each:

UNSATURATED: These fats may actually lower your cholesterol, improve your memory (discussed in earlier posts), and protect your heart. Unsaturated fats are found in fish, nuts, and vegetables. Examples are - olive oil, avocado, flaxseed, walnuts, and fish such as salmon and tuna.

SATURATED: These fats increase cholesterol and can harm the heart and brain when eaten in excess. No more than 7% of your calories daily should be from saturated fats. Examples are dairy products, red meat, some tropical oils.

TRANS FATS: These fats are the real culprits and should be avoided. Trans fats raise LDL (bad) cholesterol and lower HDL (good) cholesterol. Examples are - snack foods, fast foods, baked goods, etc.

Even though some fats are healthy fats we must still watch portion size! For a 2,000 calories a day diet, as example, keep your fat intake to somewhere around 56 to 77 grams.

Read product labels to see what fats they contain and how many grams.