This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

National Nutrition Month: Nutrition Myth #2

Think eating low fat is healthy? Not exactly.

This month, I’m exploring nutritional information and clearing up some of the confusion.  If you missed Myth #1, here it is.

Truth is, while at one time, these ideas may have made sense, further research and evidence of the impact on our health in the long run have required us to take a second look.

Today’s myth may take you by surprise.   I’m interested in your feedback.

Find out what's happening in Hazelwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Myth #2:  Low-fat diets are healthy

Many are afraid to eat fat because it’s been said to make you fat and increase cholesterol.  Here’s a news flash: Eating fat will not make you fat.  You actually need fat to burn fat.  The confusion over this all goes back to sugar.

Find out what's happening in Hazelwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Eating carb-rich food (which turns to sugar in the body) such as bread, pasta, pizza, bagels, and crackers create excess sugar in your system.  The excess is funneled to fat cells.

The more carbs and sugar you eat, the more your cells become accustomed to burning sugar as their main fuel. After a while, they will begin to crave it and prefer it to fat.  Ultimately, this leads to a variety of problems (weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease) with your body not knowing how to burn fat properly.  To change this around, it’s important to reduce sugar and grains in your diet, and increase healthy fat.  In this way, your body can easily burn the good carbohydrates you eat (vegetables) and burn fat for fuel.

Healthy fat sources are from animal sources such as grass-fed and pastured beef and poultry, eggs, raw dairy, nuts, olive oil, coconut oil, avocados.  Fats from highly refined sources like vegetable oil and trans fat should be avoided.

 

Elaine King is a Holistic Health Coach.  She works with women who want to make their health a priority.  They understand that being healthy is about more than what they eat.  The connection to their thoughts and inner spirit is of importance as well.  Elaine does individual and group coaching, leads wellness workshops, and speaks for various organizations.  Dowload a free copy of her e-Guide: Six Steps to a Simply Healthy Jumpstart here. 

Would you like help in meeting your health goals and addressing your health concerns?  Contact Elane here for a personal consultation. 

 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Hazelwood