Fats have been demonized worldwide due to several trainers and celebrities but in recent times benefits of high-fat diets like Paleo and Keto have outshone the myths related to fats. They are one of the macronutrients that are essential to the body for various processes from absorption of nutrients to maintenance of skin texture.
There are several types of fats and the key take is to avoid trans fat, limit saturated fat and consume unsaturated fat. Consume high quality fats like ghee, olive oil, peanut butter, almond butter, egg yolks, avocados, cheese, vegetable oils, meats and avoid consuming fried foods, processed foods and baked items filled with margarine.
Here Are 5 Reasons Why You Should Eat More Fat:
Helps You Lose Weight
Fats or lipids satisfy hunger because they’re slower to digest and be absorbed than other macronutrients. Dietary fat thus contributes to satiety—the feeling of being satisfied or full. Slowing down to appreciate the taste and texture of foods can give your body time to send signals of satiety to your brain, so you can eat enough to be satisfied without feeling overly full. This technique is one of the most effective tools to lose weight
Increases Bioavailability of Nutrients
The dietary fats in the foods we eat help in the transport of fat-soluble vitamins, carrying them through the digestive tract and improving their absorption. This improved absorption is known as increased bioavailability. Other than improving the bioavailability of lipid-soluble vitamins, some of the best dietary sources of these vitamins are also foods that are rich in fat. For example, good sources of vitamin E are nuts, seeds, and plant oils such as those found in salad dressings.
Increases Performance
The excess energy from the food we eat is incorporated into adipose tissue or fatty tissue. Most of the energy required by the human body is provided by carbohydrates and lipids. A fat gram is more concentrated with energy, containing more than twice the amount of energy as one gram of carbohydrate. We draw on the energy stored in fat to help meet our basic energy to fuel the body to perform movements like working through a shift, walking to class, working out, taking care of the kids, working in the office, catching a train and many other day to day activities. Consume an adequate amount of lipids to stay on top of your game.
Regulation of Hormones
Fats help the body to produce and regulate hormones. For example, fatty tissue secretes the hormone leptin, which signals the body’s energy level and helps to regulate appetite. It is also required for reproductive health and the production of steroid hormones. High fat intake is linked to healthier levels of reproductive hormones as compared to the control group.
Brain Support
Fats also play vital functional roles in sustaining memory storage, nerve impulse transmission, and tissue structure. Lipids are especially vital to brain activity in function and in structure, helping to form nerve cell membranes, protect nerve cells, and facilitate the signalling of electrical impulses throughout the brain. Consume high quality fats like avocados, olive oils, peanut butter and egg yolks to provide your brain with the nourishment it needs.