Fat2Fit

3 myths about fats you need to stop believing

Last updated at 19-11-2021

We have obsessed a lot over fats, trying to figure out whether they are friends or foe. A decade back, fats earned such a bad reputation that low fat diets started to take over and only now the stigma has started to wear off. Here we debunk those big fat myths so you can get over your fear of fat!

Myth: Consuming fat makes you fat

This is the Fat that you need to eat, not your regular Cheeseburgers or Fries.

Fact: Fats provide more calories than carbohydrates or proteins, yes. But only when taken in amounts more than your daily requirements can they lead to weight gain because by eating more, you are adding extra calories to your diet.

Fats tend to take more time to digest and can help you manage your weight. They promote satiety. Choosing healthy options like monounsaturated fats found in nuts, avocados and polyunsaturated fats found in fish, soybeans is a healthier option than consuming the bad (trans) fats found in baked, processed, fried foods.

 

Myth: All fats are the same.

Almonds and Olives vs Fries and Fried Foot items - We hope you can tell the difference.

Fact: Broadly fats are classified as saturated and unsaturated fats. Saturated fats are less reactive and tend to take a longer time to spoil. These are the kinds of fats that have a harmful effect on health since they can cause heart problems and even reduce life expectancy. Unsaturated fats or the good fats, on the other hand, help in reducing the risk of heart diseases by lowering harmful blood cholesterol levels and are beneficial to health. Hence, not all fats are equal. In fact, they are quite the opposite.

Myth: Low fat diets are healthy.

Choose the Right Fats for you. Not the less fat foods. Eliminating Fat from your diet is not the solution, choosing the right ones is.

Fact: Low fat diets became a fad in the 90s when people thought that by reducing their fat intake, they can lose weight. However, obesity trends after this practice show that ignoring fat doesn’t necessarily mean eating healthy. Eating a low-fat cookie will help you cut down on fats, but what you are eating is refined sugar and carbs, which makes matters worse.

Fats are necessary and in order to make sure that you are eating the right ones, pick the healthy fats. Remember that out of 100% of your daily macronutrient (protein, fats and carbohydrates) requirements, fats should never go below 15%.

Conclusion

Fats are not an option. Fats are essential macronutrients and your body cannot go without them. Fats have been scrutinized for a long time now, maybe it is time to give them the credit they deserve and learn to make right fat choices.