Fats & fiction

Most people know that eating too much fat is bad for our health, but did you know that without fat in our diet, we may well face as many health problems!

Saturated fats found in animal and dairy foods can lead to high cholesterol and increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes. Cutting out fat completely deprives your body of some of the nutrients it needs to help it absorb vital fat-soluble vitamins, compromises the protection of vital organs, can lead to dry skin and an impaired immune system.

So fat’s not entirely the villain it’s made out to be. As with so many things, it’s a matter of getting the right balance.

“Food Optimising is designed to help you eat a healthy amount of fat,” says bodyOptimise’s nutritionist Dr Jacquie Lavin. “Free Food and Healthy Extras are low in fat. Foods high in fat are counted as Syns, helping you cut down on saturated fat found in pies, pastries, butter and cream but getting the right balance for health. Varying your food choices helps you get all the nutrients your body needs; oily fish like mackerel, salmon and tuna, high in “good” omega-3 fats are unlimited Free Food with bodyOptimse’s healthy eating plan, while nuts and seeds are measured Healthy Extra choices.”

Did you know…

No fat, no fun!
Eating too little fat could make you miserable! Studies have linked very low fat intake with unhappiness and even depression. Research suggests that very low fat diets limit the action of the brain’s feel-good chemical serotonin. Because serotonin suppresses depression, lower levels could make you unhappy. Don’t worry, be happy - enjoy oily fish and lean meat (which contains some fat) for Free, cheese, milk, nuts, seeds and olive oil as Healthy Extras and between 5-15 Syns every day!

Fat for flavour
Fats make food tasty and give it the smooth, creamy texture that tempts our tastebuds and pleases our palate. Without some fat we simply wouldn’t enjoy the food we eat. Fat also carries compounds which give different foods their unique flavour and smell. One more reason for varying your choice of Synned foods each day!

Longer life
People who eat oily fish at least once a week live longer and are at less risk of heart disease than non-fish eaters, according to several studies. High intakes of fish oil have also been linked to a reduced incidence of breast cancer in women. Oily fish, like mackerel, salmon and tuna, are Free Food on Original and Healthy Extra choices on Green.

Arthritis and rheumatism
Fish oils, both in food and in supplement form, can relieve the pain caused by rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis. Not only do fish oils contain selenium, a trace element which may help to reduce inflammatory pain, but the omega-3 fats in oily fish have an anti-inflammatory action.