The “Skinny” On Fats

Are you consumed with the idea of staying as far away from fat as possible? Only purchase foods that say low-fat, no-fat, and skim. Take a look the next time you are at the grocery store. You can see that nearly every food manufacturer is using the “low-fat, no-fat” marketing plan. You may not realize that your body actually requires a small amount of fat to be healthy and to create proper energy. If you do not consume fat, your body will not be able to transport vitamins throughout the body and regulate cholesterol levels effectively. Did you know that even the brain requires the fatty acids from fats to create the specialized cells that allow you to think and feel?

In stating the above, I’m not giving you a green light to run to the nearest fast food chain and chow down on a burger and fries. However, I am giving you the green light to incorporate some fat into your diet. The key is to incorporate unsaturated fats instead of saturated fats because not all fats are bad. Health experts consider unsaturated fats, derived from plants like avocados, to be healthier than saturated fats. Most of these fats are of animal origin, such as a greasy burger.

The National Academy of Science recommends that your fat calories should account for only 30 percent of your total daily calories. Additionally, they note that a gram of fat contains 9 calories. The average woman should not consume more than 60-75 grams daily and the average man no more than 90 grams daily. Of course, if you are looking to release weight then that number should be less because your caloric intake should be less. I personally maintain a diet of around 20-25 percent fat. Additionally, I include 35-45 percent protein in my diet. The remaining portion consists of unrefined carbohydrates such as whole grains, root vegetables, legumes, and fresh fruits.

If you’re overly concerned about your fat intake, try focusing on ways to reduce consumption without eliminating them entirely. Also, find ways to burn fat naturally. Incorporate muscle-building exercises, such as my Visibly Fit program. This way, you can burn an increase of fat while reaping the body sculpting benefits. Keep in mind that for a pound of muscle to exist, it needs (burns) 35 calories a day. Only 2 calories are burned for a pound of fat to exist. So, eat clean and balanced to help build muscle and shed fat for your perfect physique. I use coconut oil when I cook because it offers good fats. You’ll soon discover that a small amount of good (unsaturated) fats will keep you healthy and smart!