Why Fat Is Sexy

“NEW Reduced-Fat!”

“No-Fat Food”

“Low Fat Version”

While these may have been selling points 10 years ago, if you are STILL on the low-fat/no-fat train I’m here to share with you how awesome and downright sexy fat can be!

1.) Fat keeps you full longer.  Ever eat a bowl of cheerios and skim milk for breakfast and feel hungry again in two hours?  I’ve certainly been there! Because fat breaks down slower than other food nutrients  you feel satisfied longer in between meals when you incorporate healthy fats, thus curbing your snack machine “I’m desperate” munchies and helping you towards your weight loss goals.

2.) Fat is brain food.  The healthy fat super-nutrient Omega-3s  (found in fish and  grass-fed beef) have been linked to lowered risks of depression, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia and ADHD.  From an ABC News article in 2012: “Our brains are 60 percent fat. The vast majority of that fat is an omega-3 called DHA,” Ski Chilton, director of botanical lipids and inflammatoroy disease prevention at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., said in response to the February study. “If we can’t make that DHA and we’re not getting that DHA from our diet, we could be putting ourselves at significant risk of cognitive decline, dementia and mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.”  And you know smart is the new sexy.

3.) Gorgeous skin and hair. Essential fatty acids are essential (duh!) to healthy skin and hair by building up skins cell walls and producing oils that help skin glow and hair shine. It can also help reduce acne and psoriasis flare ups-score!

3.) Heart Health If you want an overall healthy life you need a healthy heart.  Those awesome Omega 3s can reduce your risk of heart disease by as much as 50%! With a strong heart you can power through those tough HIIT and cardio workouts that are going to build your muscle and endurance.

5.) Fat Energizes Your Workout.  In the interest of full disclosure fat actually doesn’t start fueling your workout until 20 minutes into your exercise.  So especially if you are a cardio junkie or training for a marathon (like this girl!) healthy fats will fuel your workout helping you to finish strong!

6.) Fat is Yummy! Fat tastes good and deserves a thumbs up just for that.  Because our bodies naturally crave fat it is good to indulge our desires and eat healthy fats every day and treats every so often.  One of my favorite everyday indulgences are dark chocolate almonds—so delicious—I swear they taste like peanut M&Ms!

 

Top Choices for Healthy Fats

• Nuts—Almonds, peanuts, walnuts, pecans, cashews.
• Fish like salmon, trout,  and tuna (wild-caught)
• Grass-fed lean beef (or the highest quality that you can afford)
• Olive oil
• Peanut butter (all natural-you just need peanuts!)
• Coconut oil
• Full-fat dairy (preferably from organic, grass-fed sources)
• Coconut milk or Almond milk
• Avacado (I’m not the biggest fan, but this pudding might convert me!)

So enjoy healthy fats as part of an overall healthy diet.  Moderation is key—fats are very calorie dense, so eat a small handful of walnuts not a half a bag!  (With nuts I like to physically count out an actual serving and then put the container away before eating.) Start incorporating these sexy fats in your diet today!

What is your favorite healthy fat?