Eat Good Fat… Fat Free Is So 1980

The word ‘fat’ often comes with a negative connotation, but fats are one of the most important components of our diet. The key is to make sure you are eating healthy fats instead of processed ones – many foods contain healthy fats that help with your body’s most essential functions. Here are some of the benefits of getting enough healthy fat in your diet – and some of the most reliable sources of this vital nutrient.

Healthy fats reduce inflammation.

Eating a diet that is rich in healthy fats can help prevent your body from swelling up over time. While it’s normal to experience some inflammation as part of an illness or injury, consistent inflammation over time can contribute to chronic pain and chronic diseases. This is because the consumption of healthy fats appears to be linked to a reduction in chemicals that cause inflammation in the bloodstream. Reduced inflammation will help you feel healthier and more mobile, and make you less likely to develop unhealthy chronic conditions.

Healthy fats can help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Eating a diet with a proper balance of healthy fats has shown to be more useful for weight loss when combined with regular exercises. The key is to make sure you are eating healthy monounsaturated fats and that you aren’t consuming more calories than you can burn off. In particular, eating a diet high in healthy fats is more likely to result in weight loss than a diet that is high in carbohydrates.

Healthy fats can improve your endurance.

Your body naturally stores healthy fats to burn off later during intensive workouts or periods where you don’t eat for a while. Because of this, eating a diet that is high in healthy fats can help improve your endurance. When you have a good store of healthy fat built up, your body will have something reliable to burn off.

Healthy fats are good for your brain.

Studies have shown that eating monounsaturated fat can be helpful for your brain function, while ‘bad’ fats can slow it down. Researchers haven’t figured out exactly why this is yet, but, it’s likely because good fats can reduce the inflammation in your brain. This enables your brain to function more efficiently throughout the day.

Sources of Healthy Fats

There are so many delicious foods out there that contain healthy fats. Oily fish like salmon is one of the best sources of healthy fat out there because it is so rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The great thing about salmon is that it also contains protein, and it is very satisfying. Avocados are another excellent source of healthy fats, and they make for a great snack either on their own, in a smoothie, or spread on toast. Nuts and seeds are also an excellent source of healthy fats, while also providing a dose of fiber to your diet. Although you do not want to consume these foods in bulk, having them as a regular part of your diet is a great way to fuel your body and reap the benefits healthy fats have on your body.