Fat for Life

No Fat, Low Fat, Fat Free and like claims are the center of attraction for today’s health oriented community. There is a vision that fat is not good for health. It is the culprit behind increased rate of Obesity and Coronary Heart Diseases. While the truth is fat plays an important role to maintain regular body functions. Fat is the structural component of the cell, our body needs it for cell repairing and growth. Too low fat diet disturbs the absorption of fat soluble vitamins and antioxidants. Cutting fat too much can lead to constant hunger.  Fat makes an insulating layer beneath the skin to maintain body temperature. It also surrounds and protects our delicates organs. Fat servers many physical, chemical and nutritional functions in the food. Fat improves the flavor, provides creamy texture and glossy look to the food.  To maintain acceptable taste profile in fat free products high quantity of refined carbohydrates and sugar is being used which ultimately leads to obesity.

Instead of being fat phobic, one should monitor the quality and quantity of fat. Fat alone don’t cause any disorder in our body. It is our life style practices such as physical activity, smoking and uncontrolled consumption of fatty foods that leads to excessive fat accumulation.

For lifelong healthy heart always prefer liquid fat over fat that is solid at room temperature. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) & polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) keep heart healthy; they reduce serum cholesterol. Add no or less shortenings and hydrogenated fat in your plate. By the process of hydrogenation liquid fat is converted into solid fat at room temperature, during this process t here are chances of formation of Trans Fatty Acids. Avoiding fat completely is not the solution for obesity; it may cause other health problems in the long run. Understanding the difference between good and bad fat is the wise decision.