Often fat is vilified as the arch enemy to health by Cardiologists, Internists and professional dieters. However it’s not black and white. Fat is very important and very vital for several functions in our body. It helps keep our skin intact, it keeps our brains healthy, it keeps our bodies warm and safe. That being said not all fat is created equal. There are dietary sources of fat that are detrimental to our bodies and there are sources that are healthy for our bodies.
When it comes to nutrition, the one size fits all model is outdated and oversimplified. One of the biggest dietary tragedies of our time was the implementation of the “fat free” fad. This made way for the integration of these chemically modified substitutes for that savory mouth feel we appreciate about fat. Secondly the introduction of these chemically altered products made way for the artificial sweeteners or “pseudo sugars” to provide a satiating taste for our taste buds and our brains.
What consumers don’t realize is these ingredients wreak havoc on our body chemistry creating a pathway for destruction. Our bodies become inflamed as a result of these chemicals taking up residence in our body. Inflammation is the spark needed to create the perfect brush fire to take out a whole forest. Chronic illness is known in functional medicine as a smoldering fire and poor diet, one with lab created ingredients is often the nidus that sets it afoot.
Do yourself, your body and your loved ones a favor and start reading labels. Avoid anything with seed oils (canola, corn, soy, rapeseed, sunflower, vegetable, lard, margarine-yuk!, peanut)
Avoid anything that says “partially hydrogenated.”
Avoid any ingredient that has artificial sweeteners of any kind (monk fruit, stevia in small quantities is ok- it can be a slippery slope-more on this).
Basically if it comes in a package may be best not to eat it.
Acceptable oils are Avocado oil, Olive oil, Coconut oil (in small quantities and if you don’t have high amounts of inflammation), Tallow, Ghee.
Pay attention to what you put into your body, if you can’t read or understand the ingredient listed, chances are your body can’t either!
Till Next time
In good health