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Fat is no Demon (unless you enjoy Bacon Pizza dipped in Ranch with a side of Fries and ice-cream)
Ok, so it’s no secret that we still preach “low-fat” diets as part of a healthy eating plan. I can’t completely argue with that, however I can tell you that Fats do have an important place in our diet stemming from the evolution of our species. A long, long time ago…. us humans used to have a ratio of Omega -III fatty acids, to Omega-6 Fatty acids in our diet of 1:1. The American diet is like 1:5. Science has linked this ratio to inflammatory diseases in our country.. most notably heart disease. So, here are Dave’s top 5 ways to bring that ratio closer, and decrease your risk of heart disease.
1. Avoid Vegetable oil… especially when its used for deep frying. Use the mono-unsaturated choices such as olive oil and canola oil, and just don’t eat fried food… no really… don’t.
2. Eat Fish… Fresh Salmon and Tuna are great sources. Obviously there is a concern for Mercury Levels in our fish these days, so taking a Omega III supplement is a fine choice. A good supplement choice is an Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) supplement.
3. Eat nuts and seeds. A diet rich in Almonds, sunflower seeds, and flaxseed is a sure way to narrow that ratio. Avocado is an excellent source of fat as well.
4. Choose lean cut meats, and use cheese in moderation. (Both of these are good foods, but try eating a 6 oz steak, and 2 slices of Pizza instead of…. well…. a whole large pizza, or a 20 oz porterhouse smothered in bacon and blue cheese. You get my point I’m sure.)
5. Limit butter fat, and margarine. Try to use yogurt and olive oil based sauces and spreads.
I know this is a broad topic, but this is specific to improving that ratio. As for other health concerns and fat… go ahead and direct your questions to Dave, or open a discussion on this blog. We would love to hear your thoughts.
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