There is no need to be scared to eat saturated fat. There are actually proven health benefits to eating saturated fat. Here is my top ten reasons for eating fat at every meal!

  1. Fat is satisfying and it slows digestion for vitamin absorption
  2. Saturated fats make everything taste better.
  3. No need to overeat because fat satiates hunger!
  4. Increases the immune system because fats have antiviral agents (Lauric, capric and caprylic acids). Breast milk, coconut oil, palm oil and butter are high in those acids.
  5. Fats are building blocks for cell membranes. They compose 50% of the cell membrane. If we are lacking in saturated fats then the cell membranes will lose their integrity and become more susceptible to disease and bacterial and viral infection.
  6. Saturated fats are a preferred fuel for the heart and can lower cholesterol
  7. 50% of calories of a mother’s breast milk comes from fat. The amount of cholesterol in breast milk is much higher than in a lot of foods we eat. Babies need saturated fat and cholesterol to feed their growing brains and nervous system. If babies need it, why should their mommies restrict their fat intake??
  8. Saturated fats prevent osteoporosis. Essential vitamins such as A, D, E and K are only fat soluble. Fat is needed to be able to utilize and absorb these vitamins.
  9. Did you know that Cholesterol is an antioxidant? It protects us from free radical damage just like berries!
  10. Saturated fat is the most stable fat to cook with. It does not go rancid. This is a very healthy trait! Polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as canola, corn, safflower are highly reactive and should not be used for cooking. These oils go rancid very easily. Rancid vegetable oils are a major contributor to heart disease.

This is just a short list of benefits of saturated fats. There are many more. Don’t let anyone fool you into “the low fat diet is healthy” myth. Fats are integral part of a healthy diet and weight loss. Let saturated fats be the healthy choice.

To your health and wellness,

Catherine Osthaus

 

 

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