Importance of Eating Less Fatty Foods
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over one-third of adults in the United States are overweight. The consequences of this go beyond vanity and attractiveness. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease and hypertension have lasting damaging effects, which can be kept at bay with a diet low in fatty foods.
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Types
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The Mayo Clinic describes healthy fats as monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. Healthy fats are found in nuts, avocados, vegetable oils, flax seeds and fish. Unhealthy fats are saturated fats, trans fats and dietary cholesterol. These are in animal products, fried foods and partially hydrogenated oils.
Effects
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Healthy fats enjoyed in moderation help lower cholesterol levels and strengthen the heart. Unhealthy fats increase the risk of heart disease and high cholesterol levels. Excessive weight gain from a diet high in unhealthy fats contributes to joint pain, less mobility, decreased energy and increased risk of damage to vital organs.
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Benefits
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Healthy weight loss from a diet low in fatty foods increases life expectancy by reducing the risk of weight related diseases. It increases quality of life by improving mood and sleep habits. Weight loss also decreases costs of health care for individuals and for society by having less impact on insurance risk.
Misconceptions
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Fatty foods are perceived as more flavorful and enjoyable than less fatty foods. Cookbooks that feature low-fat recipes offer flavorful alternatives. Restaurants also offer nutritional information to inform customers of low-fat options. Simply limiting one or two high-fat ingredients dramatically decreases the level of fat in a dish while maintaining flavor.
Warning
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Do not eliminate all fats from your diet. Consuming moderate amounts of healthy fats contributes to skin and hair health, contributes to digestive health and helps the body absorb necessary vitamins.
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