Get The Skinny On Fat
What’s the Skinny on Fat?
Here's the breakdown... Yes, fat in your diet isn't necessarily bad for you. Certain, fats are good for your health AND your skin. There are five types of fat, and here the skinny on each of them:
1. Monounsaturated Fats - GOOD - present in almonds, avocado, hazelnuts, sesame seeds, almond butter, and olive oil. These fats are anti-inflammatory and slow down the aging process. Eat these fats to improve your appearance and your health!
2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids - GOOD - present in wild-caught, cold-water fish like salmon, grass-fed beef, walnuts, chia, and flaxseed. These are great for your skin and your heart. Be very choosy in the fish oil you buy, as some brands sell rancid fish oil (yuck!).
3. Omega-6 Fatty Acids - These are only good if they are in the place of saturated fats so I would put this fat in the BAD category - present in processed foods, vegetable oils (corn oil, soybean oil, safflower oil), and factory-farmed beef and fish. These fats are pro-inflammatory and bad for you. It's best to avoid eating the foods that contain them.
4. Trans Fats - BAD - present in fried fast food, factory-made baked goods, and commercial frosting. We all know that these industrially modified plant oils are not that good for us. Avoid them all it costs!
5. Saturated Fats - PROBABLY BAD - New studies are showing that saturated fats in our diet may not be as bad for us as we previously thought. In the setting of low carb, high omega-3 diet, saturated fats may not significantly contribute to heart disease. However, when saturated fats are added to the standard American diet (high in carbs and low in omega 3's), then saturated fats are inflammatory and should be limited.
One last tip regarding fat:
Ideally, you want to increase the amount of omega-3 fats you eat and limit the amount of omega-6 fats you consume. One way to do this, if you are a meat-eater, is to source your meat. Grass-fed beef and butter and wild-caught fish have much better and healthier fats than standard, corn-fed beef, and farmed fish. They cost a bit more, but they are much better for your health and skin. Your body will thank you.