WHY GOOD FATS WILL HELP YOU BURN FAT

WHY GOOD FATS WILL HELP YOU BURN FAT

You may think that removing all fats from your diet is a positive step towards a fitter and healthier you, however not all fats have been created equal. Not only are ‘good fats’ essential nutrients that provide a variety of different health benefits, your body can actually use good fats to help burn fat!

If we take a look at our body from a biochemical level, the less fat we eat, the less efficient we become at utilizing fat as an energy source. Low fat diets encourage the body to tap into carbohydrate sources instead of fat sources, making us more efficient at burning carbs, but more likely to gain weight from unhealthy fats.

Removing all fats from the diet will also negatively impact on the adipokines, hormones released from your fat cells, in your body. Adiponectin, one of these adipokines, is a hormone that targets fat burning by enhancing your metabolism, curbing your appetite and increasing the rate at which fats are broken down.

Good fats make us feel satiated, and fuller for longer! Plus they are just so yummy!

It is important to point out the difference between good fats and bad fats, because as i mentioned before, not all fats were created equal.

The good fats, or unsaturated fats include polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fats. Both of which have been proven to help protect against heart disease as well as helping lower cholesterol levels. They also help keep your skin, hair and nails looking healthy and youthful!
Foods rich in good fats include:

• Fatty fish
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Avocados
• Olives
• Flaxseed

The bad fats, or saturated fats, are the ones that we can live without. They not only contribute to weight gain, they can also raise cholesterol levels, clog your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease.
Foods rich in saturated fats include:

• Fatty meats
• High fat dairy
• Eggs
• Poultry skin
• Deep fried foods
• Pastries

This is not to say that the nutritional benefit gained from some of these foods does not outweigh the negative effect of the bad fats. It is just important to understand the difference between the good and the not so good fats in your diet. Like with all foods, good fats and bad fats should be eaten in moderation. However if you want to look and feel your best, then I suggest you incorporate a variety of good fats into your diet on a daily basis! 

Written by Emily Skye