Cholestrol and fat
September 24th 2006 21:52
The marketing tool used on many foods is aimed at showing the consumer how little fat a product has. For example a food might be labelled as"Zero fat", or "98% fat free". This is fine, but be sure to check the carbohydrate content (on the label) and if the carbohydrate reading is made up of mostly sugars, then the benefit of not having much fat is really lost due to the high sugar content, making the food a high GI food. i.e it will break down quickly, ensuring your insulin levels rise quickly and then your blood sugar levels drop just as quick giving you that tired and hungry feeling again soon after eating. This is common for many yoghurts.
In our blood we have different type of cholestrol, the two main ones being HDL (known as the good type), and LDL, known as the bad type. These two are usually combined to give a total cholestrol reading. If you have ever had a blood test to find out your cholestrol reading it is good to know which one of these is higher, and it will be shown on your results. For instance, if you have a cholestrol reading of say 5, and most of it is HDL, this isn't really a bad cholestrol reading. However if it was 5 and most of that was LDL, then you should look at changing the types of food you eat. Why? Because LDL cholestrol is the type that sticks to the artery walls and causes cardiovascular problems. HDL can be freely eliminated from the body. (this is the nutshell explanation)
So what are the sources of good fats? Well the easiest way to remember is good fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated) come from plants, and bad fats (saturated and trans fats) come from animals. Good fats could be nuts, olive oils, canola oil. Bad fats could be from deep fried foods, fat on meat such as bacon etc. So just be aware that a diet that is promoted as being zero fat or no fat is not such a healthy thing. As human beings we need a certain amount of fat in our diet, but it has to be the right type of fat.... MB
In our blood we have different type of cholestrol, the two main ones being HDL (known as the good type), and LDL, known as the bad type. These two are usually combined to give a total cholestrol reading. If you have ever had a blood test to find out your cholestrol reading it is good to know which one of these is higher, and it will be shown on your results. For instance, if you have a cholestrol reading of say 5, and most of it is HDL, this isn't really a bad cholestrol reading. However if it was 5 and most of that was LDL, then you should look at changing the types of food you eat. Why? Because LDL cholestrol is the type that sticks to the artery walls and causes cardiovascular problems. HDL can be freely eliminated from the body. (this is the nutshell explanation)
So what are the sources of good fats? Well the easiest way to remember is good fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated) come from plants, and bad fats (saturated and trans fats) come from animals. Good fats could be nuts, olive oils, canola oil. Bad fats could be from deep fried foods, fat on meat such as bacon etc. So just be aware that a diet that is promoted as being zero fat or no fat is not such a healthy thing. As human beings we need a certain amount of fat in our diet, but it has to be the right type of fat.... MB
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Comment by Chantal
I just find it all so frustrating... why cant I go back to eating crap and not worrying but more to the point not NEEDING to worry!
It seems really hard to find foods that dont contain one or the other! Oh yeah.... and still have taste!
Very informative, though.. thank u
Comment by MichaelB
Diet Dog
I empathise with you! Don't worry too much about it though. My grandfather once told me he never really watched his diet greatly. I have noticed though that he practices moderation in absolutely every area of his life, especially food. Having said that, there isn't a thing he won't eat, but he seems to have balance. Lucky bugger I say. (and he's 96 this year) MB