Good Fats, Bad Fats

Borrowed from library this very useful book which tell us about food nutrition.

"You are what you eat"

10 steps to a Healthier Llifestyle

1) Eat Breakfast
2) Get the hydration habit - and drink plenty of water
3) Cut down on Caffeine
4) Get Fresh - eat plenty of fresh food
5) Eat Five a day - fruit and vegetable
6) Banish the frying pan - use low fat cooking methods
7) Eat good fats - tops up your polyUNsaturates
8) Make it yourself - don't rely on processed food
9) Cut down on sugar and salt
10)Finger on the pulse - eat more beans, lentils and wholegrain foods

Not all fats are bad! But Fats will definitely make you fatter.
So what is good fat?

All fats are high in calories, so will cause weight gain if you eat too much of them.
But monoUNsaturated fats and polyUNsaturated fats have health beneifits and our bodies suffer when we are lacking in them.

Know your enemies and your friends
Saturated fats : These are the kind that raise your cholesterol levels, cause atherosclerosis ('clogging' of the arteries) and increase your risk of heart disease. They're generally solid at room temperature, and are found in animal products. (meat, eggs, dairy products) and tropical oil such as coconut and palm oil.

Trans Fats: also known as hydrogenated vegetable oils and have undergone a hardening process to improve their keeping products. These fats have similar harmful effects to saturated fats - in fact they may be even worse for us. Thses fats sneak into a huge range of processed foods to lengthen their shell life - yet another reason to cook your own!

MonoUNsaturated fats : Olive oil, canola oil and peanut oil and also avocados are in high monosaturates. Oilve and canola oil are the best for oil for frying as they are less susceptible to being damaged by heat and forming harmful components that damage our bodies.

PolyUNsaturated fats : Saffloweroil, sunflower oil and corn oil are all good sources of polyunsaturates. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are polyunsaturates: found in oily fish, nuts and seeds, they help lower our cholesterol levels, reduce our risk of heart disease and even benefits our mood.