Low-fat foods seem to be a conundrum, a paradox and maybe more. The very reason we eat is to stockpile energy and resources, much the same way as a camel stockpiles water. So, eating low fat seems to be a little counterintuitive – doesn’t it? For example, low-fat milk is said to be 97 percent water and only 3 percent fat! Surely that cannot be a wise choice, can it?
Actually, the jury is still out re fats of all types – trans, saturated and unsaturated. There’s an opinion everywhere you look, but as usual, it comes back to what Mother said – “Everything in moderation, James.†When all is said and done, fats are an essential nutrient and one of the primary energy sources for the body. Diets higher in good fats are more satiating and turn off hunger signals far more effectively than lower fat diets do. This is because fats turn on your fat burning switches.
So, it’s back to the fish and greasies?
Well no.
Yes, we do need some of it, however, fat also has the greatest potential not to be fully burned up, thereby increasing our body fat. Saturated and trans fats – the type found in most meat, dairy products, and many processed foods – create “bad cholesterol” that clogs our arteries.
This is precisely why we should still cut down on our saturated fats and trans fats wherever possible. Getting back to that low-fat milk – this is the recommended choice for all adults and children over the age of two, whose daily consumption of fats is usually well above requirements. Another quick and easy way to reduce your intake, is to trim any fat off your meat (we’re looking at you, crispy chicken skin) and choose lean cuts over marbled. As a substitute, try eating more good fats which are found in fish, olive oil, avocados and nuts, to name a few. Think about what you’re adding to your food; do you have to deep-fry those fries, or could you just use a little spray oil and bake them? Use herbs and spices to flavour your food, instead of turning instinctively to butter, margarine and oils. Condiments, more often than not, are loaded with fats, so by simply adding a squeeze of lemon juice instead of mayo, you could be doing yourself and your arteries a big favour.
But ultimately, we think the answer is still what Mother said – ‘Everything in moderation, James.’
