Sometimes all this talk about fat starts to sound like a Dr. Seuss book to me. At the end of the day, I can understand why people may be confused about what is the healthiest option: no fat, low fat, or good fat.
So here's the latest:
http://civileats.com/2011/03/04/a-big-fat-debate/
Now sure, you may think that this is always changing when we do more research but in the spirit of Dr. Seuss, here's my simple take on matters of fat...
Our body needs some fat to run properly. It's okay to eat fat, but don't swim in a sea of blubber.
It's not how much fat you eat, but what KIND of fat you eat that matters.
If you're going to eat fats, make them natural ones. Fake fats are bad.
(Natural fats include nuts and seeds, their oils and butters, avocado, coconut)
Trans fats are bad. Avoid them. Saturated fats (found in animals and dairy) are bad fats that can increase your LDL (the bad cholesterol). Limit/avoid them.
Good fats are the monoUNsaturated and polyUNsaturated. These are okay to eat.
Use oils more than butter, margarine or shortening.
There are low heat and high heat oils. Cook with high heat oils. Serve foods with low heat oils.
(My favorite cooking oils are grapeseed and canola with stir fries in occasional sesame oil. My favorite dressing/low heat oils are extra virgin olive, walnut)
Fried foods generally have a lot more fat. Limit these foods.
Watch out for foods labeled as low fat or nonfat, they often have sugar or high fructose corn syrup, or other additives to make them taste better.
But overall here is my general thought on food in general. Eat food that looks like food. When you stop recognizing the ingredients that make up your food, it's probably not as healthy for you. Watch your portion sizes. Fill up half your plate with fruits and veggies, a quarter with protein, and a quarter with carbs. If you want extras, go for the veggie or fruit first.
It's all about balance and being smart. And in the spirit of balance, rainbows of food and appropriate servings, here's a look at dinner tonight (leftovers from my cooking fest).
Corn rotla, saffron rice, plain greek yogurt, my salad from the other day, collard greens and dal. Notice how half the plate is veggies!
Man I wish these pics were better so you could see all the pretty colors in the salad, but that's just gonna have to wait until Paras comes back.
Well, I am on call in the hospital tomorrow so I will try to sneak in a quick post in the spirit of my personal National Nutrition Month challenge. Tomorrow is also VEGAN WEDNESDAY! Don't forget if you're joining me!
No recipe today (sorry) but it's sleeping time!!
Local Flavor: Atherton Mill and Market
Tuesday- 3 pm - 7 pm
Wednesday- 9 am - 1 pm
Saturday - 9 am - 2 pm
2104 South Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28203
I love how local this market is. If you're a regular, you can really start to get to know the farmers and vendors. Buy fresh fruits and veggies, homemade candles, real healthy food, breads, jewelry, pickles, honey...it's fantastic!
Check out their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/athertonmillandmarket?sk=info
So here's the latest:
http://civileats.com/2011/03/04/a-big-fat-debate/
Now sure, you may think that this is always changing when we do more research but in the spirit of Dr. Seuss, here's my simple take on matters of fat...
Our body needs some fat to run properly. It's okay to eat fat, but don't swim in a sea of blubber.
It's not how much fat you eat, but what KIND of fat you eat that matters.
If you're going to eat fats, make them natural ones. Fake fats are bad.
(Natural fats include nuts and seeds, their oils and butters, avocado, coconut)
Trans fats are bad. Avoid them. Saturated fats (found in animals and dairy) are bad fats that can increase your LDL (the bad cholesterol). Limit/avoid them.
Good fats are the monoUNsaturated and polyUNsaturated. These are okay to eat.
Use oils more than butter, margarine or shortening.
There are low heat and high heat oils. Cook with high heat oils. Serve foods with low heat oils.
(My favorite cooking oils are grapeseed and canola with stir fries in occasional sesame oil. My favorite dressing/low heat oils are extra virgin olive, walnut)
Fried foods generally have a lot more fat. Limit these foods.
Watch out for foods labeled as low fat or nonfat, they often have sugar or high fructose corn syrup, or other additives to make them taste better.
But overall here is my general thought on food in general. Eat food that looks like food. When you stop recognizing the ingredients that make up your food, it's probably not as healthy for you. Watch your portion sizes. Fill up half your plate with fruits and veggies, a quarter with protein, and a quarter with carbs. If you want extras, go for the veggie or fruit first.
It's all about balance and being smart. And in the spirit of balance, rainbows of food and appropriate servings, here's a look at dinner tonight (leftovers from my cooking fest).
Corn rotla, saffron rice, plain greek yogurt, my salad from the other day, collard greens and dal. Notice how half the plate is veggies!
Man I wish these pics were better so you could see all the pretty colors in the salad, but that's just gonna have to wait until Paras comes back.
Well, I am on call in the hospital tomorrow so I will try to sneak in a quick post in the spirit of my personal National Nutrition Month challenge. Tomorrow is also VEGAN WEDNESDAY! Don't forget if you're joining me!
No recipe today (sorry) but it's sleeping time!!
Local Flavor: Atherton Mill and Market
Tuesday- 3 pm - 7 pm
Wednesday- 9 am - 1 pm
Saturday - 9 am - 2 pm
2104 South Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28203
I love how local this market is. If you're a regular, you can really start to get to know the farmers and vendors. Buy fresh fruits and veggies, homemade candles, real healthy food, breads, jewelry, pickles, honey...it's fantastic!
Check out their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/athertonmillandmarket?sk=info
thank you so much for breaking this down for us shivani! you ROCK!!
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