Do You Know ‘Fat’ is a good thing?
New Delhi, 26th April 2018: In our bid to lose weight, many of us tend to opt for extreme or bizarre weight loss fads and diets. One of the most popular ways people follow to lose weight includes eliminating fats from the diet. Did you know that fats are beneficial for health and when you skip fats from your diet, you may be inviting a host of health ailments?
“Fat” is a word with multiple meanings and despite the differences between body fat and dietary fat, people have simply been told they are both bad. Contrary to the popular belief, it would be exciting for you to know that dietary fat such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are in fact good for you! These may help lower cholesterol when taken in right amount.
Also called as Team Good Fat – walnuts, salmon, avocados and olive oil are a source of essential fatty acids, compounds needed to maintain an ideal weight, optimal health and normal physiological functions. California walnuts, in particular, are rich in omega 3 fatty acids also known as polyunsaturated fats that may help to lower triglycerides. So embrace good fats through a diet of nutrient-dense foods that replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats.
Naaznin Husein, Dietician, Nutritionist and President of Indian Dietetics Association tells you the four deliciously easy tips to incorporate good fats into your diet, add flavor and boost your overall health:
GO CALIFORNIA WALNUTS
Sprinkle nuts and seeds onto the salad, oatmeal, yogurt and pancakes. Also, get in your oh-so-good omegas by enjoying a handful of walnuts as an afternoon snack and by adding them into meals for some satisfying crunch (2.5 grams omega-3 ALA fats per 1 ounce serving of walnuts, that’s the most of any nut).
SUB IN SALMON
Replace your prime rib or steak with roasted, grilled or baked salmon (3 ounces per serving) to cut calories and saturated fat. Evidence shows that making this simple swap twice a week can reduce your risk of heart disease and obesity.
ADD AVOCADO
Boost your intake of monounsaturated fat (and fiber!) by adding one-third of an avocado to your meal. This former guacamole staple has risen to superfood status—it’s a terrific topper for everything from toast to salads to burgers and salmon. Yum!
OPT FOR OLIVE OIL
Embrace antioxidant-rich olive oil. Numerous studies show that consuming a Mediterranean diet that includes olive oil can help reduce the risk of heart disease and boost yo ur overall health. Substitute olive oil (1 tablespoon per serving) for butter when sautéing veggies, meat, or fish to keep your ticker in tip-top shape!
The first step to embracing good dietary fats is to focus on a diet of nutrient-dense foods, and to replace saturated fats typically found in meat and dairy products, with unsaturated fats, found foods such as in walnuts, salmon, avocados and olive oil. So Go Team Good Fat!
About California Walnut Commission:
The California Walnut Commission (CWC) is funded by mandatory assessments of the growers. The CWC is an agency of the State of California that works in concurrence with the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The CWC was established in 1987 under California law. This allows the industry to organize and assess itself (in this case the growers) in order to generate monies to accomplish a myriad of activities. The CWC’s primary interest, however, is and has been since its inception, export market development.
Today they also conduct extensive health and nutrition research and take an active role in publicizing the outcomes in all markets including the United States. An important facet of their operation involves the evaluation of its marketing efforts through market research and are also responsible for communication within the industry with more than 4,800 growers in the state of California.
