Home Workout Tips and Advice - P90X, 10 Minute Trainer & More » good fats http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/blog Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:25:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 Why Can’t All Fats Be “Good Fats”? http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/blog/2008/08/21/why-cant-all-fats-be-good-fats/ http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/blog/2008/08/21/why-cant-all-fats-be-good-fats/#comments Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:39:52 +0000 Elizabeth Renter http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/blog/?p=113 What is good in our mouths isn’t necessarily good for our health. However, just because it has the same name as that squishy stuff on your thighs, doesn’t mean all fats are bad. Learning the difference between good fats and bad fats can simplify how much and what kinds of fat you need to avoid in order to lose weight, feel better, and even have a healthier heart.We know that not all fats are good for us and plenty of us remember the “fat free” frenzy that took place in the 90s. Luckily that craze ended and science has gone on to educate us about the fact that there are good fats, which we all need, and bad fats, that cause heart disease and do nothing positive for us.
 
The human body needs fats to survive. Fat is an excellent source of energy and does things like protect our organs and keep our skin soft. Good fats go even further by helping to lower cholesterol and prevent the risk of heart disease. There are two types of good fats: polyunsaturated and monounsaturated.
 
Polyunsaturated fats, like Omega 3’s, are found in vegetable oils and seafood. It lowers all types of cholesterol. Fish is a great source of polyunsaturated fats and also a high protein, low calorie, all-around great diet food.
 
Monounsaturated fats not only decrease cholesterol but are thought to actually decrease the risk of certain types of cancers. These fats are found in things like olives, avocados, nuts and seeds. Monounsaturated fats are also typically rich in Vitamin E.

While these good fats are far better for you then saturated fats, they contain the same amount of calories, 9 per gram. Compare this with 4 calories per gram of carbohydrates or protein. This simply means that your fat intake still needs to be moderated regardless of what types of fat you are eating. Just because it’s a good fat, doesn’t mean you should switch to a diet of avocados and olives!

Educating yourself about the things you put inside your body makes you a more health conscious person. When you are aware of the effects of certain foods on your body you are more likely to make healthy choices that encourage a longer life and even weight loss. Remember this: 1) not all fats are bad, and 2) good fats have a positive impact on your heart and overall health.

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