When we are too concerned about losing weight and losing those fats, we sometimes forget to eat healthy. One of the most healthy foods we can eat that does not contain a lot of fats is the Chicken-Alfalfa Sprout Sandwich.
Sprouts are considered the miracle food, as they contain a lot of enzymes and vitamins and minerals. These are best when eaten raw, hence, in this simple recipe, the sprouts are not cooked.
This is an easy and quick recipe. Wash it down with honey or milk. Let me know how you like it. I found this recipe at NurtureYourOwn.com
The recipe is really simple and you can easily add more items to suit your taste buds.
Chicken-Alfalfa Sprouts Sandwich
2 tbsp alfalfa sprouts
2 tbsp carrots, shredded
1/2 cup chicken, skinned, boned, cooked and diced
1 tomatoes, diced
1/2 green peppers, diced
1/2 lettuce, shredded
1 tbsp low-fat mayonnaise
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Counting Calories do not Work for losing fats
How many people have failed to lose fats by counting calories? In fact, you yourself, have you ever tried to lose weight, lose inches or lower your fat index by counting calories?
I am a firm believer that humans are creatures of habit. We are not automatons who can dispassionately count calories every single day and be happy about it. When we go for lunch with colleagues, or worse, with potential business clients, the last thing on your mind is the number of calories on the menu.
Some people call this a lapse. But the reality is that life, in all its various permutations, make it really tough for us to count calories. If you are late, rushing for work or simply too tired to cook up a calorie specific meal, you break your calorie counting. Once too often, and it becomes a habit. You lose weight, you gain weight.
So, what do you do if you are not able to faithfully count calories?
I suggest a really simple solution. Now, not everyone will agree with this. Some may say it is too simple, while others simply doubt.
To cut your calorie intake, simple cut as much sugar as you can from your diet. You will be surprised, most of us take a juice, or some soft drink at every meal. Simply cutting this off, and drinking plain water or sparkling water (unsweetened), can do wonders for your calorie intake. You may not realize it, but 3 cans of Coke is almost a meal of its own in calories.
Then, find a good fat blocker. OK, here is where many of you will protest. You want it all natural. No drugs. For me, I say that it is simple, and it works. Pop the pills 30 minutes before a meal, and the all natural, mushroom extract simply coats each fat molecule and prevents it from being absorbed. This can reduce your fat intake by as much as 60%.
For the purists, I apologise, but I just go for what has worked for me.
I am a firm believer that humans are creatures of habit. We are not automatons who can dispassionately count calories every single day and be happy about it. When we go for lunch with colleagues, or worse, with potential business clients, the last thing on your mind is the number of calories on the menu.
Some people call this a lapse. But the reality is that life, in all its various permutations, make it really tough for us to count calories. If you are late, rushing for work or simply too tired to cook up a calorie specific meal, you break your calorie counting. Once too often, and it becomes a habit. You lose weight, you gain weight.
So, what do you do if you are not able to faithfully count calories?
I suggest a really simple solution. Now, not everyone will agree with this. Some may say it is too simple, while others simply doubt.
To cut your calorie intake, simple cut as much sugar as you can from your diet. You will be surprised, most of us take a juice, or some soft drink at every meal. Simply cutting this off, and drinking plain water or sparkling water (unsweetened), can do wonders for your calorie intake. You may not realize it, but 3 cans of Coke is almost a meal of its own in calories.
Then, find a good fat blocker. OK, here is where many of you will protest. You want it all natural. No drugs. For me, I say that it is simple, and it works. Pop the pills 30 minutes before a meal, and the all natural, mushroom extract simply coats each fat molecule and prevents it from being absorbed. This can reduce your fat intake by as much as 60%.
For the purists, I apologise, but I just go for what has worked for me.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Lose Fats without Counting Calories
When you want to lose fats, most people will tell you to start counting your calorie intake. In fact, calorie counting is one of the most widespread dieting tool used by most dieters everywhere.
Frankly, anyone who as ever used this method will tell you, counting calories is really hard work. Humans are emotional, social creatures. We are not robots. When you go out for dinner, you choose who you want to go with based on whose company you believe you will enjoy, right? If you chose your dinner companion based on a list of criteria and do a full background check each time, it is really doubtful that you will enjoy your dinner.
Yet, we do this to our food. By the time we start counting the calories, we begin to wonder whether we are eating because it has the “right” calorie, or are we ordering the food because we like it. Humans avoid pain and gravitate towards pleasure. If counting calories make it painful, it is no wonder that counting calories fail.
Instead, can we build a series of “good habits”?
Strategy 1 – Cut out the Bad Stuff
Start by cutting sugar. Sugar is nothing but empty calories. It is pure calorie. Other than tasting good and containing a huge calorie count, sugar does not help in anyway. Sugar is found naturally in fruits and many other foods. We do NOT need to take any more sugar.
If you are the snacking type, then stock your fridge and cabinets with healthy snacks. Fruits, vegetable tid-bits would work. Cut out the power bars, soft drinks and so on.
Strategy 2 – Start one day at a time
When you want to start building good habits, you need to learn that it is not so hard. If you do your calorie control one day in the week first, and enjoy the rest of the week, over time, you can increase it. This will allow you to slowly but surely build a good diet habit that will never change and you will never have to count calories again.
Frankly, anyone who as ever used this method will tell you, counting calories is really hard work. Humans are emotional, social creatures. We are not robots. When you go out for dinner, you choose who you want to go with based on whose company you believe you will enjoy, right? If you chose your dinner companion based on a list of criteria and do a full background check each time, it is really doubtful that you will enjoy your dinner.
Yet, we do this to our food. By the time we start counting the calories, we begin to wonder whether we are eating because it has the “right” calorie, or are we ordering the food because we like it. Humans avoid pain and gravitate towards pleasure. If counting calories make it painful, it is no wonder that counting calories fail.
Instead, can we build a series of “good habits”?
Strategy 1 – Cut out the Bad Stuff
Start by cutting sugar. Sugar is nothing but empty calories. It is pure calorie. Other than tasting good and containing a huge calorie count, sugar does not help in anyway. Sugar is found naturally in fruits and many other foods. We do NOT need to take any more sugar.
If you are the snacking type, then stock your fridge and cabinets with healthy snacks. Fruits, vegetable tid-bits would work. Cut out the power bars, soft drinks and so on.
Strategy 2 – Start one day at a time
When you want to start building good habits, you need to learn that it is not so hard. If you do your calorie control one day in the week first, and enjoy the rest of the week, over time, you can increase it. This will allow you to slowly but surely build a good diet habit that will never change and you will never have to count calories again.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
What are Unsaturated Fats?
While there are several different kinds of fats, unsaturated fats are generally considered to be “good” fats. Of course, if you are aiming to lose fats, then whether it is unsaturated fats or not, you will want to lose them!
Unsaturated fats come in two different flavours. The two types are polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats. The way to tell the difference between the two, is quite simple. Polyunsaturated fats remain in a liquid state at room temperature and when refrigerated. Monounsaturated fats will become solid when refrigerated.
Unsaturated fats contribute to the overall fats in the body, and they do increase the triglyceride levels in the body, but the good thing is, they do not increase the cholesterol levels. Triglyerides are “fat storing” molecules and in most cases, people will have normal levels, even when over-weight.
The fact is, unsaturated fats, both the polyunsaturated and the monounsaturated fats, are much healthier for the body when compared to the saturated fats. One recent discovery was that the fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6 found in unsaturated fats are actually beneficial to, and essential for the proper functioning of our bodies.
Unsaturated fats can be found in most vegetable oils, fish, fruits and nuts. Omega-3 fatty acids are found mainly in fish like trout, sardine, pilchard, kipper, herring and mackerel.
It has been found that unsaturated fats help in stabilizing the electrical conduction system of the heart. Hence, omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil are now acknowledged to be very important to good health. Recently, it has been shown through medical studies that the risk of dying from heart disease is actually lowered by these kinds of fats (omega-3 fatty acids).
In case you do not like to eat fish, there is still hope. Most reputable pharmacies will carry fish oil or more specifically, omega-3 supplements. These are usually in the form of capsules for easy ingestion.
But do remember, too much of anything is still not good. While fish and vegetable oils are healthier choices, they are still fats and taking too much will still cause you to grow fat. Sometimes, people choose to take fat inhibitors, special diet supplements that help to neutralize fats in the digestive system to prevent them from being absorbed. This is one effective way to reduce your fat intake without counting calories. Make sure you get reputable products, though.
Unsaturated fats come in two different flavours. The two types are polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats. The way to tell the difference between the two, is quite simple. Polyunsaturated fats remain in a liquid state at room temperature and when refrigerated. Monounsaturated fats will become solid when refrigerated.
Unsaturated fats contribute to the overall fats in the body, and they do increase the triglyceride levels in the body, but the good thing is, they do not increase the cholesterol levels. Triglyerides are “fat storing” molecules and in most cases, people will have normal levels, even when over-weight.
The fact is, unsaturated fats, both the polyunsaturated and the monounsaturated fats, are much healthier for the body when compared to the saturated fats. One recent discovery was that the fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6 found in unsaturated fats are actually beneficial to, and essential for the proper functioning of our bodies.
Unsaturated fats can be found in most vegetable oils, fish, fruits and nuts. Omega-3 fatty acids are found mainly in fish like trout, sardine, pilchard, kipper, herring and mackerel.
It has been found that unsaturated fats help in stabilizing the electrical conduction system of the heart. Hence, omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil are now acknowledged to be very important to good health. Recently, it has been shown through medical studies that the risk of dying from heart disease is actually lowered by these kinds of fats (omega-3 fatty acids).
In case you do not like to eat fish, there is still hope. Most reputable pharmacies will carry fish oil or more specifically, omega-3 supplements. These are usually in the form of capsules for easy ingestion.
But do remember, too much of anything is still not good. While fish and vegetable oils are healthier choices, they are still fats and taking too much will still cause you to grow fat. Sometimes, people choose to take fat inhibitors, special diet supplements that help to neutralize fats in the digestive system to prevent them from being absorbed. This is one effective way to reduce your fat intake without counting calories. Make sure you get reputable products, though.
Monday, August 17, 2009
How to tell Good Fats and Bad Fats
When you think of fats, it is hard to think that there are such things as good fats. However, this is true. It is very important that we all learn as much as we can about fats before we start thinking about losing fats or losing weight.
Our bodies need fats to function. Without fats, many vital organs like our heart, lungs, eyes and brain cannot function properly, just to name a few. The problem is not fats, the real problem in most cases is too much fats exist in the body.
So, over-indulgence aside, we also need to understand the difference between Good and Bad fats. How do you tell them apart?
Generally, good fats contain essential fatty acids, does not increase our “bad cholesterol” (LDL) levels by much and can be considered the healthy choice.
Bad fats on the other hand, are fats that increase our overall cholesterol levels by much and more importantly, increase the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels by a disproportionately larger amount.
When your body has a good balance of good and bad cholesterol, all is well. But an imbalance, especially an accumulation of bad cholesterol can lead to several health problems.
Following s a very simplified list of some good and bad fats.
Good Fats
Unsaturated fats are generally considered to be good fats. They are divided in to two kinds – monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Monounsaturated fats: these types of fats lower the total cholesterol and the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels while increasing the good cholesterol (HDL) levels. Examples include: Nuts like peanuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, avocado, canola and olive oil. Monounsaturated fats have also been found to help controlling body fat, and hence, aid weight loss.
Polyunsaturated fats: these types of fats also lower total cholesterol and the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. The most common source of these types of fats are salmon and fish oil, as well as corn, soy, safflower and sunflower oils. The much touted Omega 3 fatty acids belong to this group of good fats.
Bad Fats
Saturated fats are generally considered to be bad fats. There is a modern derivative known as Trans Fats which has become the talk of the town simply because it is so harmful to human health. Trans fats are created by a process known as hydrogenation and was originally intended to help fats last longer in packaged foods. Unfortunately, it is now know that trans fats is one of the main culprits for increasing the LDL levels. Worse, because of its twisted form, trans fats are hardly suitable for our bodies to assimilate and use. While saturated fats are bad, trans fats are much worse. Many commercially packaged foods and fried foods contain trans fats.
Our bodies need fats to function. Without fats, many vital organs like our heart, lungs, eyes and brain cannot function properly, just to name a few. The problem is not fats, the real problem in most cases is too much fats exist in the body.
So, over-indulgence aside, we also need to understand the difference between Good and Bad fats. How do you tell them apart?
Generally, good fats contain essential fatty acids, does not increase our “bad cholesterol” (LDL) levels by much and can be considered the healthy choice.
Bad fats on the other hand, are fats that increase our overall cholesterol levels by much and more importantly, increase the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels by a disproportionately larger amount.
When your body has a good balance of good and bad cholesterol, all is well. But an imbalance, especially an accumulation of bad cholesterol can lead to several health problems.
Following s a very simplified list of some good and bad fats.
Good Fats
Unsaturated fats are generally considered to be good fats. They are divided in to two kinds – monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Monounsaturated fats: these types of fats lower the total cholesterol and the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels while increasing the good cholesterol (HDL) levels. Examples include: Nuts like peanuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, avocado, canola and olive oil. Monounsaturated fats have also been found to help controlling body fat, and hence, aid weight loss.
Polyunsaturated fats: these types of fats also lower total cholesterol and the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. The most common source of these types of fats are salmon and fish oil, as well as corn, soy, safflower and sunflower oils. The much touted Omega 3 fatty acids belong to this group of good fats.
Bad Fats
Saturated fats are generally considered to be bad fats. There is a modern derivative known as Trans Fats which has become the talk of the town simply because it is so harmful to human health. Trans fats are created by a process known as hydrogenation and was originally intended to help fats last longer in packaged foods. Unfortunately, it is now know that trans fats is one of the main culprits for increasing the LDL levels. Worse, because of its twisted form, trans fats are hardly suitable for our bodies to assimilate and use. While saturated fats are bad, trans fats are much worse. Many commercially packaged foods and fried foods contain trans fats.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
7 Facts of Fats
So often, we hear bad things about fats. Every one who wants to lose weight think about fats from the start. You would see fats as “the enemy”.
Excess fats need to be eliminated before you can lose weight. But to lose weight effectively, it is not just about getting rid of the fats. You need to understand what, in the first place, are fats doing in your body. You need to understand what types of fats are healthy, how much fats you need.
Here are 7 facts of fats that you need to know:
#1 – Plant based fats are generally healthier fats
There are many benefits that have been found to be associated with plant-based fats. It is believed that most of them have cancer-fighting abilities. Examples include extra-virgin olive oil, flax seed oil, and fats from plant sources such as nuts, seeds, avocados, and coconuts
#2 – Fats are a necessary part of your diet
You should not eliminate fat completely from your diet. There are important functions in your body that rely on fatty-acids and fat tissues. What you do need to do is to control the intake and control the type of fats you take.
#3 – Saturated fats are generally unhealthy fats
Saturated fats increase the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol. Saturated fats are mostly found in red meats and whole milk diary products.
#4 – Nuts are healthy
Yes, nuts have very high fat content. However, these are the “healthy” fats and should be taken. Again, excessive intake is never good, no matter what foods you take. Nuts also have Vitamin E, zinc and are a good source of fibre.
#5 – Fish Fat is essential to your well being
Many people are not aware that the much touted “omega-3” is nothing more than the fatty acids found in fish. This is one of the very few food that have many benefits.
#6 – Low Fat diets are not essential for you to lose weight
It is quite ironic. But low fat diets are usually over loaded with sugars and other refined carbohydrates. They may actually lead to higher calorie in-take and defeat the purpose of dieting in the first place. Fat is filling and help to control your food intake.
#7 – Trans-fat is not inert
Of all the fats, trans fat is likely the most horrendous of them all. It is actually normal fats deformed and twisted by a process known as hydrogenation. If you do not have enough healthy fat intake, your body will resort to using the trans fat that it finds. That could lead to some really bad problems like cancer and heart disease.
Excess fats need to be eliminated before you can lose weight. But to lose weight effectively, it is not just about getting rid of the fats. You need to understand what, in the first place, are fats doing in your body. You need to understand what types of fats are healthy, how much fats you need.
Here are 7 facts of fats that you need to know:
#1 – Plant based fats are generally healthier fats
There are many benefits that have been found to be associated with plant-based fats. It is believed that most of them have cancer-fighting abilities. Examples include extra-virgin olive oil, flax seed oil, and fats from plant sources such as nuts, seeds, avocados, and coconuts
#2 – Fats are a necessary part of your diet
You should not eliminate fat completely from your diet. There are important functions in your body that rely on fatty-acids and fat tissues. What you do need to do is to control the intake and control the type of fats you take.
#3 – Saturated fats are generally unhealthy fats
Saturated fats increase the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol. Saturated fats are mostly found in red meats and whole milk diary products.
#4 – Nuts are healthy
Yes, nuts have very high fat content. However, these are the “healthy” fats and should be taken. Again, excessive intake is never good, no matter what foods you take. Nuts also have Vitamin E, zinc and are a good source of fibre.
#5 – Fish Fat is essential to your well being
Many people are not aware that the much touted “omega-3” is nothing more than the fatty acids found in fish. This is one of the very few food that have many benefits.
#6 – Low Fat diets are not essential for you to lose weight
It is quite ironic. But low fat diets are usually over loaded with sugars and other refined carbohydrates. They may actually lead to higher calorie in-take and defeat the purpose of dieting in the first place. Fat is filling and help to control your food intake.
#7 – Trans-fat is not inert
Of all the fats, trans fat is likely the most horrendous of them all. It is actually normal fats deformed and twisted by a process known as hydrogenation. If you do not have enough healthy fat intake, your body will resort to using the trans fat that it finds. That could lead to some really bad problems like cancer and heart disease.
Monday, August 10, 2009
What are unhealthy fat?
Many people think that all fats are unhealthy. You might believe that to be healthy, you need to lose fats. That is really not completely true. Fats are a category of food that we need for the proper functioning of our bodies.
The truth is, there are good, healthy fats and there are unhealthy fats. Please do not misunderstand, too much fat is not good for you. It does not matter what kind, whether it is healthy or unhealthy fat that you are taking – too much is just not good.
So, what are unhealthy fats?
It is generally believed that saturated fats are unhealthy fats. This is true to some extend, but taken in moderation, there is no harm. Saturated fats are found in red meat, whole milk diary products and some tropical vegetable oils, for example, coconut oil.
Saturated fats are considered unhealthy because they raise the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol. When your LDL cholesterol is increase, your risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) will also increase. It is also believed that saturated fats lower the levels of HDL, which are the “good” cholesterol.
Up until recently, trans fats or hydrogenated fats, have been considered harmless. We now know differently. Where do trans fats come from? When you heat liquid vegetable oils and there is hydrogen present, a process called hydrogenation takes place and trans fat is created.
Why is trans fat considered unhealthy fat? It has been found that trans fat raises low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol and this increases your risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
You will most likely find trans fat in vegetable shortenings, some brands of margarines, and other processed foods that are made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. For example, crackers, candies, cookies, snack foods, fried foods, baked goods contain trans fat.
You must be wondering why manufacturers use hydrogenated oils when they know it is unhealthy. The truth is, by partially hydrogenating the vegetable oils, it makes them last longer on the shelf before spoiling. This increases shelf life of the product, but it certainly does not improve your health.
The above are the two main types of unhealthy fats. A sensible diet, a good exercise regime (like brisk walking) and an awareness of harmful foods will go a long way towards creating a healthier lifestyle for you.
The truth is, there are good, healthy fats and there are unhealthy fats. Please do not misunderstand, too much fat is not good for you. It does not matter what kind, whether it is healthy or unhealthy fat that you are taking – too much is just not good.
So, what are unhealthy fats?
It is generally believed that saturated fats are unhealthy fats. This is true to some extend, but taken in moderation, there is no harm. Saturated fats are found in red meat, whole milk diary products and some tropical vegetable oils, for example, coconut oil.
Saturated fats are considered unhealthy because they raise the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol. When your LDL cholesterol is increase, your risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) will also increase. It is also believed that saturated fats lower the levels of HDL, which are the “good” cholesterol.
Up until recently, trans fats or hydrogenated fats, have been considered harmless. We now know differently. Where do trans fats come from? When you heat liquid vegetable oils and there is hydrogen present, a process called hydrogenation takes place and trans fat is created.
Why is trans fat considered unhealthy fat? It has been found that trans fat raises low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol and this increases your risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
You will most likely find trans fat in vegetable shortenings, some brands of margarines, and other processed foods that are made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. For example, crackers, candies, cookies, snack foods, fried foods, baked goods contain trans fat.
You must be wondering why manufacturers use hydrogenated oils when they know it is unhealthy. The truth is, by partially hydrogenating the vegetable oils, it makes them last longer on the shelf before spoiling. This increases shelf life of the product, but it certainly does not improve your health.
The above are the two main types of unhealthy fats. A sensible diet, a good exercise regime (like brisk walking) and an awareness of harmful foods will go a long way towards creating a healthier lifestyle for you.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
What are healthy fats?
For many years, people thought that CUTTING FATS intake was the way to go if you want to reduce weight and become more healthy.
Here is an interesting fact: Obesity increased, almost doubled in the last 20 years, in the USA. Coincidentally, this is also the time when “low fat” diets were introduced. For those of you who remember, low-fat butter, low-fat potato chips, low-fat this and low-fat that.
Today, knowledge has increased and we now know that the type of fats you take is probably more important than blindly cutting down. Another fact that has surfaced over the years, fats are filling. They make you feel less hungry and therefore, less likely to stuff yourself beyond your calorie needs.
The reason that the low-fat revolution failed was simple. People replaced their fat intake with easily digested carbohydrates and “fat free” products that incorporated more sugars and carbohydrates.
Healthy fats are necessary for us. In the past, before all the processed foods, natural fats contained healthy fats, mostly. Today, it is hard to find true natural fats. Your best bet would be to go for unsaturated fats, these are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These types of fats can lower your LDL Cholesterol levels and help to reduce overall fat levels in your body.
In fact, there is one type of fat that has been found to be actually beneficial for your heart. This type of polyunsaturated fat, known as omega-3 fatty acids, have been found to be especially beneficial to your heart. Apparently, Omega-3s seems to be able to decrease the risk of coronary artery disease. If you are wondering why we cannot eliminate fat from our diet and be done with, here are some areas where fats play an important role:
http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_diet_fats.htm
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/115936.php
Here is an interesting fact: Obesity increased, almost doubled in the last 20 years, in the USA. Coincidentally, this is also the time when “low fat” diets were introduced. For those of you who remember, low-fat butter, low-fat potato chips, low-fat this and low-fat that.
Today, knowledge has increased and we now know that the type of fats you take is probably more important than blindly cutting down. Another fact that has surfaced over the years, fats are filling. They make you feel less hungry and therefore, less likely to stuff yourself beyond your calorie needs.
The reason that the low-fat revolution failed was simple. People replaced their fat intake with easily digested carbohydrates and “fat free” products that incorporated more sugars and carbohydrates.
Healthy fats are necessary for us. In the past, before all the processed foods, natural fats contained healthy fats, mostly. Today, it is hard to find true natural fats. Your best bet would be to go for unsaturated fats, these are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These types of fats can lower your LDL Cholesterol levels and help to reduce overall fat levels in your body.
In fact, there is one type of fat that has been found to be actually beneficial for your heart. This type of polyunsaturated fat, known as omega-3 fatty acids, have been found to be especially beneficial to your heart. Apparently, Omega-3s seems to be able to decrease the risk of coronary artery disease. If you are wondering why we cannot eliminate fat from our diet and be done with, here are some areas where fats play an important role:
- Brain –60% of the brain is made up of fats and it is essential to brain functions. Pregnant women need more fats, since they are vital for fetal brain development.
- Heart – 60% of the heart’s energy is from fats. Specific fats like Omega-3 also help keep the heart beating in a regular rhythm.
- Nerves – Fats compose the material that insulates and protects the nerves, isolating electrical impulses and speeding their transmission.
- Lungs – the lining of the lungs requires a high concentration of saturated fats and this enables the lungs to work and keep them from collapsing.
- Digestion – Without Fats to slow down the digestion process the body might not have enough time to absorb nutrients. Also, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) can only be absorbed if fat is present.
- Organs – Fats form a cushion and protect your internal organs.
http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_diet_fats.htm
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/115936.php
Monday, August 3, 2009
Is losing weight the same as losing fats?
This might seem to be a really strange question. However, it is an important question. Many times, the common answer would be “yes”, losing weight is the same as losing fats.
But then, there are other questions that need to be answered. For example, are you trying to lose weight to look good or to lose weight to become healthier?
Losing weight is good if your BMI is greater than 30. This is usually a good indicator that the fat content in your body is too high.
One of the most effective ways to lose fats is to exercise. However, many people have wrong expectations:
How about this other interesting fact – when you want to lose weight fast, you exercise more intensely, you lose fat fast and you also build muscles faster. You might even gain weight.
So, in a sense, losing weight is not quite the same as losing fats. But muscles don’t build up forever, but as you build muscles, they in turn burn more fats. In fact, even when you are just sitting there doing nothing, the more muscles you have, the more fats you burn. So, in the long run, your weight loss will become permanent, your fitness improves and you look much better than ever.
This is the reason many diet plans do not work over long periods. Failure to build muscles, failure to create a new, more active lifestyle, all leads to the fats coming back again the moment you stop the diet and your calorie intake once again out-paces your burn rate.
Control your fat intake, get a new healthy lifestyle. Join a walking club or something.
But then, there are other questions that need to be answered. For example, are you trying to lose weight to look good or to lose weight to become healthier?
Losing weight is good if your BMI is greater than 30. This is usually a good indicator that the fat content in your body is too high.
One of the most effective ways to lose fats is to exercise. However, many people have wrong expectations:
- they expect to lose weight fast
- they expect to lose weight consistently in a downward trend
How about this other interesting fact – when you want to lose weight fast, you exercise more intensely, you lose fat fast and you also build muscles faster. You might even gain weight.
So, in a sense, losing weight is not quite the same as losing fats. But muscles don’t build up forever, but as you build muscles, they in turn burn more fats. In fact, even when you are just sitting there doing nothing, the more muscles you have, the more fats you burn. So, in the long run, your weight loss will become permanent, your fitness improves and you look much better than ever.
This is the reason many diet plans do not work over long periods. Failure to build muscles, failure to create a new, more active lifestyle, all leads to the fats coming back again the moment you stop the diet and your calorie intake once again out-paces your burn rate.
Control your fat intake, get a new healthy lifestyle. Join a walking club or something.
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