What is the difference between healthy fats and unhealthy fats? For a long time, we’ve looked at any form of this macronutrient as nothing but a contributor to obesity. However, in recent years, we’ve found that the dietary fat we eat is essential to our health and proper development. The challenge is in knowing which ones are best to eat and which ones cause more harm than good. Moreover, portion control, regardless of which form is eaten, also plays a substantial role. Let’s take a closer look at the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Knowing the Difference Between Healthy Fats and Unhealthy Fats
When you are trying to be healthy, there are many things to consider. We all know that eating a good breakfast is important and that avoiding processed foods is a must. We also know that we have to have a good exercise routine to remain healthy and stay strong. But what about fats?
There are healthy fats and unhealthy fats in everything. The trouble is, people usually cannot tell what is good and what is bad. This article will break down the good fats versus the bad fats in the foods you often encounter.
The Healthy Fats
Good fats include monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. These fats are liquids and are present in a few of the foods that many people consume on a daily basis. These fats help us to keep healthy and focused, and they maintain the good cholesterol in our bodies while helping us to gain muscle when we are on a diet and fitness regimen.
Where You Find Healthy Fats
Good fats are in most of the healthy foods we eat. For instance, they are in the oils we use when cooking, such as olive oil and vegetable oil. They are also in healthy snacks like baked potato chips and certain diet cheeses. To find out which foods contain healthy fats and unhealthy fats, you need to read the label of everything you buy at the grocery store.
The Unhealthy Fats
Bad fats are the fats that cause you to have high cholesterol and that clog your arteries. The worst of these fats are called trans fats, which contribute to heart disease, obesity, and even diabetes. While it is okay to indulge once in a while, having a lot of unhealthy fats in your diet can cause a ton of health problems later in life. That’s why it is crucial to eat right and exercise. Then once a month, as a treat, you can enjoy foods that contain bad fats.
Where You Find Unhealthy Fats
While good fats are liquids, bad fats are solids. Unhealthy fats are found in most dairy products, including butters, as well as grease. If you were to eat a cheeseburger from McDonald’s, for example, that would contain a lot of unhealthy fats. These fats are also found in fries, ice cream, and regular potato chips. Most processed and fast foods are high in bad fats.
Making Nutritious Choices
Now that you can identify healthy fats and unhealthy fats, you can live a better lifestyle. Adding more good fats to your diet and limiting your intake of bad fat can help you to stay lean and healthy with a weight control. Remember this when grocery shopping, and always read your labels when getting food at the store. Then, remind yourself again as you’re cooking.
Choosing healthy ingredients is only the first step. Eating them in the right amounts is equally important. Once you make a habit of this helpful balance, you’ll be giving your body a gift at every meal. It’s your life–make it a healthy one!
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