The Myth About Fat

The next step in learning how to overcome your stronghold with food and an unhealthy lifestyle is to Repent (change your way of thinking for the better) in your understanding of food.  There are going to be several entries, but I will start with this topic: THE MYTH ABOUT FAT

Years ago we were told by the "experts" that if you ate Fat you got Fat, or as I like to call it- Unhealthy.
Thus the introduction of low fat food.  If it is low fat, it must be healthy, right?  Wrong!!! In fact, if it is low fat it may be full of unhealthy ingredients to compensate for the lack of flavor fat brings to our taste buds.  True, gram for gram, fats have a higher calorie content, but the more important factor to consider is What kind of fat are you consuming?  Saturated, Unsaturated, Trans, Hydrogenated, Mono, Poly and Omega-3?  It makes a huge difference.  Our body needs fat to function, especially our brains.  When human babies are born they really need another 3 months in utero, but due to our over sized heads and the brain's need for higher fat intake which the mother's body can not provide internally, we are born into this world one of the most dependent of all creation.  Our first three months should be more considered the 4th trimester (or quarter in correct terms). 

When a person goes on a low fat diet they will more than likely find themselves craving foods that they are depriving themselves of what their brain needs.  As a person conditioning myself, I fully understand that I can not go below 13% Body Fat as a female, or my body will be unable to function properly.  Menstruation will cease, thoughts will become cloudy, speech slowed and slurred, and attitude will be affected. We NEED Fat, plain and simple.  And the great thing about fat calories, they produce a low glycemic response, which lacks in an insulin response, which in turn doesn't usher the converted glucose into the fat stores like we originally assumed.  This isn't a licence now to go consume pounds of walnuts, but a way of changing the way you think about fat in itself. 

There are many fats that are considered healthy, good for your heart, increase your good cholesterol levels, aid in joint function, and are foods I personally consume almost on a daily basis.  Not to confuse you in all the technical terms, I will let you do the research on your own.  Keep in mind, there is still mixed reviews on some of these items.  I would advise you to not believe everything you read or hear (including what you read here), learn for yourself using several sites and studies, draw your own conclusions and be lead by peace above all else.  You can even get your blood checked yearly like I do to help you see tangibly how your choices effect your body.  FYI:  My levels have never been more medically ideal than they are now.

Fats I consume on a regular basis, but not inclusive of all good fats:
Avocado
coconut milk
Coconut
Coconut oil (FYI- this increase metabolism rate, BONUS)
olive oil
nut milk
grass fed organic meat (corn fed increases omega -6 levels which are already too high given the average American diet).
Fish (omega-3 high- especially wild salmon, anchovies, blue fin tuna and sardines)
Nuts (and no, peanuts are not nuts, they are legumes)
seeds
eggs, including the yolk
and yes, butter will even hit my plate every now and then.

If there is a food group I would recommend for you to avoid or keep at a minimum, it would not be the fat group.  If anything, carbohydrates that come from processed foods and grains second then to dairy.   There are more negative physical reactions in our bodies from consuming these foods than anything else.  Especially if you have an auto-immune disease, you may want to consider completely removing these from your daily consumption. 
Side effect bonus- my skin has never been more clear and nourished feeling/looking since I started eating Paleo style (meat, eggs, fish, veggies, fruit, nuts and seeds only).  Praise God for His perfect provision.

Some recipes that are full of flavor and healthy fats and taste approved:

cilantro lime shrimp
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/03/cilantro-lime-shrimp.html

veggie chips
http://urbanveganista.com/?page_id=1774

bay scallops with yummy sauce
http://www.comfytummy.com/2009/10/19/seared-bay-scallops-with-vanilla-ginger-sauce/

coconut flour bread
http://chocolateandcarrots.com/2011/01/coconut-flour-paleo-bread

roasted butternut squash
http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2006/11/thanksgiving-on-south-beach-diet.html

tasty meatballs and sauce
http://sleeploveeat.com/2010/03/15/mammas-meatballs-and-marinara-sauce/

my personal favorite snack:
http://www.addictedtoveggies.com/2011/10/coconut-lemon-meltaways.html

avacado salad
http://www.wholeliving.com/151701/avocado-bell-pepper-and-tomatoes?fb_ref=s%3DshowShareBarUI%3Ap%3Dfacebook-like&fb_source=home_multiline