You know the kind of diets that drive me NUTS? Low fat diets. You need fat in your diet. And most products that are marked "low fat" or "no fat" have really high amounts of sugar or salt or calories.
That being said - there are good fats and there are bad fats. Eating too much of any fat will make you... well.. fat.
That being said - there are good fats and there are bad fats. Eating too much of any fat will make you... well.. fat.
But, including good fats in your diet is essential to proper nutrition. Simply categorized, Good fats are unsaturated, bad fats are saturated.
"Good" Fats Polyunsaturated fat: Vegetable Oil Omega-3s (a type of poly-): found in fatty fish (salmon, trout, catfish, mackerel), flaxseed and walnuts. Monounsaturated fats: Avocado, hazelnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds; and olive, canola, and peanut oils | "Bad" Fats Saturated Fat: Found in animal products (meat, poultry skin, high-fat dairy, and eggs) Trans Fat: 2 types - naturally occurring found in small amounts in dairy and meat; and the artificial kind that occur when liquid oils are hardened into "partially hydrogenated" fats. |
So what does "Partially Hydrogenated" mean?
Adding hydrogen to oil through a process called hydrogenation, makes the oil less likely to spoil. Using trans fats in the manufacturing of foods helps foods stay fresh longer, have a longer shelf life and have a less greasy feel. This process is thought to make the oil more difficult to digest
Adding hydrogen to oil through a process called hydrogenation, makes the oil less likely to spoil. Using trans fats in the manufacturing of foods helps foods stay fresh longer, have a longer shelf life and have a less greasy feel. This process is thought to make the oil more difficult to digest
Now, with all the press about how good coconut oil is for, you might be surprised to learn it is technically categorized as a saturated fat. However, because coconut oil is a type of lauric acid it's found not not be as harmful as the same saturated fat you'd find in butter. Sure, they say to lower your saturated fat, eat margarine instead of butter - But I would rather eat a natural saturated fat when I need to fry/grease something instead of a chemical processed alternative. Margarine isn't 1 molecule from plastic (that's a myth) but it's still made from all kinds of partially hydrogenated oils.
I also have beef with cooking spray. There are so many added ingredients/chemicals it just can't be good for you.
PAM, VEGETABLE COOKING SPRAY INGREDIENTS: Canola Oil, Grain Alcohol, Soy Lecithin (coagulant), Propellant.
I don't want all that - I just want olive oil. In comes the best invention ever: The Misto. You can buy this at TJ Maxx or home goods for $5-9 dollars - and it is SO worth the money. All you do is fill it with your favorite olive oil, pump the lid (creates natural pressure instead of using a chemical propellant), and spray! It almost makes too much sense.
This product is also a must-have if you're making kale chips. Directions say to lightly coat your kale in oil - but nothing is "light" about "coating" something with oil when it's globbing out of the bottle. I find I use a lot less oil when I can just spray a thin layer on my kale chips, saute pan, baking dish etc.
DID YOU KNOW...
If the item contains less than .5g of fat per serving - the FDA says you can round down! So all the crap you're eating that has 0g fat (cough cough cooking spray) - may actually have up to .5g of fat. per serving. PAM serving size is 1/4 second spray. I dare you to try to spray for 1/4 of a second. Or even a second. good luck with that...
PAM, VEGETABLE COOKING SPRAY INGREDIENTS: Canola Oil, Grain Alcohol, Soy Lecithin (coagulant), Propellant.
I don't want all that - I just want olive oil. In comes the best invention ever: The Misto. You can buy this at TJ Maxx or home goods for $5-9 dollars - and it is SO worth the money. All you do is fill it with your favorite olive oil, pump the lid (creates natural pressure instead of using a chemical propellant), and spray! It almost makes too much sense.
This product is also a must-have if you're making kale chips. Directions say to lightly coat your kale in oil - but nothing is "light" about "coating" something with oil when it's globbing out of the bottle. I find I use a lot less oil when I can just spray a thin layer on my kale chips, saute pan, baking dish etc.
DID YOU KNOW...
If the item contains less than .5g of fat per serving - the FDA says you can round down! So all the crap you're eating that has 0g fat (cough cough cooking spray) - may actually have up to .5g of fat. per serving. PAM serving size is 1/4 second spray. I dare you to try to spray for 1/4 of a second. Or even a second. good luck with that...
My recommendations:
If you are stir frying, either use Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Coconut Oil. I think coconut oil still tastes a little like coconut, so I only use it to stir fry certain things that won't taste weird with a little coconut.
If you are baking, try coconut oil. Or - experiment with oil alternatives like adding applesauce, pumpkin puree, or a banana to your recipe. You'll be surprised how good it turns out, even without all the oil.
If you are eating a processed food, just be cognizant. Read the Label! No one is making you eat food - you choose what goes in your body. Unless we're talking about fro yo - that stuff just hops into my mouth.
If you are stir frying, either use Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Coconut Oil. I think coconut oil still tastes a little like coconut, so I only use it to stir fry certain things that won't taste weird with a little coconut.
If you are baking, try coconut oil. Or - experiment with oil alternatives like adding applesauce, pumpkin puree, or a banana to your recipe. You'll be surprised how good it turns out, even without all the oil.
If you are eating a processed food, just be cognizant. Read the Label! No one is making you eat food - you choose what goes in your body. Unless we're talking about fro yo - that stuff just hops into my mouth.