Benefits Of Eating Food With Healthy Fats

If you think that all fat is bad for you, then think again. You will be surprised to know that there are different types of fats present in food, and not all of them are bad for you. In fact, some fats are essential and beneficial for your body.

Before we get to the benefits of consuming food with healthy fats, let us briefly tell you what these good and bad fats are. For years there was no distinguishing line between good and bad fat, all fat was bad and caused problems for you. Thanks to research, now we know better than to lump in beneficial fats with bad fats and outcast them.

Here’s your quick guide to dietary fats-

Types Of Fats

Dietary fats can be classified into three major categories-

Unsaturated Fats

These are the good fats, they consist of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, you must have heard of the Omega-3 fats, they are a type of polyunsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats are mostly found in vegetable oils, seeds, nuts, and fish.

Trans Fats

We introduced the “good” fat, so it should be obvious what kind this type of fat is... yeah, the bad fat. Most of the trans fat we consume is artificially produced, it should now make more sense as to why it is bad for us. Even small amounts of these have harmful effects on your body, as for their sources- it is present in your favorite fried commercial food, aka anything using hydrogenated oil or partially hydrogenated oil.

Saturated Fats

This is a type of fat that is neither good nor bad. Although saturated fat might not be as bad as Trans fat, it can still negatively impact your body if consumed in excess. In moderation, it is plenty harmless to your body, and you don’t have to completely cut it out of your diet either. You can find it in meat, dairy products, and coconut and palm oils.

Benefits of Healthy Fats

There are plenty of benefits to be gained- both physical and mental, by consuming food with healthy fats. Here are some of them-

Promotes Brain Function

Healthy fats are essential for your brain to function properly. They help maintain the cell membrane integrity in your brain, this is necessary if you want your brain cells to communicate with each other. Oh, and they also help maintain the elasticity of your brain, which in turn will prevent cognitive decline as you age.

Maintains Heart Health

Good fats like Omega-3 fats help lower bad cholesterol levels and hence directly reduce the risk of heart disease. Fatty fish like tuna and salmon are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, now that’s what you call a hearty meal.

Improves Skin

Yes, finally a skin lotion that you can eat. Though not technically a lotion, you can consider healthy fats a magic potion that promotes healthy skin by keeping it moisturized, and supple. It also gives you glowing skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

Reduces Inflammation

Healthy fats reduce inflammation and hence help against a variety of chronic diseases linked to inflammation, like- cancer, diabetes, and heart conditions. This means the risks of developing those conditions are lower due to the consumption of good fats.

These are only a few of the immense benefits reaped by eating food with healthy fats. If are having trouble drawing out a suitable diet plan for you, it is best to consult a dietitian. And if you are looking for one, we have the best dietitians for you.