Think of the word “fat” and many people instantly imagine an evil substance that will damage your health and make you…well…fat. But is it really so black and white? The answer is no. Let’s take a look at the good as well as the bad fats out there.
Let’s start with the bad…
Bad Fats:
The fats to avoid, or at least keep to a minimum, are saturated and trans fats.
These unhealthy fats can cause fat to congest in the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to your heart. As a result, not enough blood is carried to the heart, leading to increased risk of heart disease including a heart attack as your heart is forced to work harder and harder with less and less oxygen. The early warning signs to look out for are chest pain.
Other health issues associated with these fats include stroke. Again, a lack of oxygen-rich blood being carried to the brain due to fatty-clogged arteries is the cause. Some research also indicated that excessive consumption of trans fats can increase the risk of breast cancer.
High levels of saturated fats are found in the following foods:
Trans fats are harder to find as they are found in foods made with hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils. However, here are some foods with high levels of trans fats:
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that can also increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Cholesterol is found in animal products, such as:
Slightly Less Bad Fats:
While monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are not as bad as saturated and trans fats, try to moderate their consumption to avoid gaining weight.
And now the good…
Good Fats:
One type of fat that can actually reduce your risk of heart disease is the Omega-3 fatty acids, which are a type of polyunsaturated fat. Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids include:
Foods with smaller amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids include:
