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Fatty foods are usually very filling but heavy, and can sometimes be difficult to digest. Many people cut them out of their diet for fear of gaining weight. But, should they really avoid these foods? Let’s dive in and find out!
First of all, we need to talk about fats because they are not all the same and it is important to prioritize the healthiest ones.
Types of Fats:
Trans Fats:
These are the worst of the worst and should be completely removed from our diet. These fats are often hidden in processed foods, such as frozen pizzas, salty snacks, industrial pastries, palm oil, margarine…the list goes on and on. Many studies have already shown time and time again that consuming these fats raises bad cholesterol levels, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type II diabetes.
Saturated Fats:
These are solid fats normally at room temperature and usually come from animal products but not always: butter, meat, cream, eggs, cocoa…
According to the latest studies, it appears that these fats only raise LDL levels of cholesterol when they are included in processed foods which is why they should be restricted. Consumed naturally, they are not harmful and even seem to have some beneficial effects on the body.
Unsaturated Fats:
Liquid when at room temperature and primarily coming from vegetables, seeds and fish: olive oil, avocado, flaxseeds, nuts, peanut butter…
These are the good fats that we always hear about and the ones that we should prioritize as a part of our diet since they help to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol (HDL). They are monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and omega 3 fatty acids.
Fatty foods for breakfast, the fuel you need to start your day!
As always, it all depends on your lifestyle, needs, physical activity, and so on, but for the vast majority of people having fatty foods in the morning is ideal. Breakfast is a good time to enjoy cocoa, eggs, butter, and all those healthy fats. There are many reasons for this:
- Fat serves as our body’s fuel for the entire day by increasing our energy levels and alertness.
- Good fats are satiating because they don’t raise insulin levels and we can get through the day without snacking.
- We can easily burn all the calories from fatty foods throughout the day.
- These foods are best metabolized during the day.
Do you know what my top choices are for a high-fat breakfast?
In the afternoon, fatty foods help you recover from workouts.
Although fats are best digested during the day, it should be noted that if we choose good fats, unsaturated fats, we can eat them at any time of the day, especially if we lead an active lifestyle and do sports regularly. The only thing to remember is that you should leave 2 hours between the last time you ate and when you go to bed.
“If you’re active don’t be afraid to eat fatty foods at any time of the day”
In fact, fat consumption is directly related to the reparation of cells and improved recovery from workouts. Fats are essential in the absorption of vitamins such as A, D, E, and K, and are part of the structure of some essential compounds.
Additionally, fats are absorbed slowly in the body so they keep cravings at bay and prevent us from binge eating late in the day.
Do you know what my favorite fatty snack is?
And, my favorite fatty dinner repeat? It has to be…
