FAT!

No I'm not calling you chubby.

To continue from a previous blog, we are looking at the difference between “good fat” and “processed fat”.

Fat is a crucial part of a healthy person’s diet; the problem is for the past 60 odd years we have been programmed to think the opposed. For example, next time you go to the supermarket, look at the number of products that say “reduced fat” or “fat free”. THIS DOES MEAN IT IS HEALTHIER.

We can blame this misinterpretation to the American government way back in the 1950s, where they created the Six Countries Study, which seems like they picked six nations at random, scrutinise their diet and decide what the perfect diet is. I take many issues with how poor this study was done and what seems to me a sack of professionalism and scientific research, but it seems to managed the test of time and to a certain extent influencing the poor diet choices we make today.

For example, if you were to compare the average Kenyan diet which consist of about 80% fat (milk & meat) and the average American diet which is around 25% fat, the study would say the American diet is far better for you. However, when they swapped two families from these nations, after only one month the Kenyan families, body fat percentage, cholesterol and blood pressure increase while complaining about feeling lethargic too. The American’s had the exact opposite biological response but repeatedly mentioned how much more energy they had.

But you were to ask me, how can I make sure I am eating the right types and amounts of fat? Number one rule, when possible do not eat food out of a packet! Packet food can be packed with processed fat and unnatural preservatives which our body stores as fat. Don’t be lazy and buy the food and prepare it yourself.

Number two keep it natural, get your fats from animal or plant produce, I personally have gone back to drinking full fat milk (blue lid). Ask yourself why it’s good for kids but not for adults?

And number three, reduce the carbohydrates and increase the fat. Again, from personal experience I tried the Paleo Diet for 9 months last year. The basic thinking behind the diet is to eat like a caveman-hunter gatherer, this means nothing post agriculture production, no bread, pasta, pastries, and anything man made. I had the lowest body fat percentage in my life, slept better than I ever had before and more energy throughout the day. In fact, I only stopped the diet because I had to put some weight on for rugby!

To summarise, Fat is really good for you if it is natural! Following that, keep it simple, if you look at a frozen curry in the supermarket and it says 40% of your daily fat intake, maybe give it a miss and finally, experiment. I know my body likes a high fat low carb diet, you may be different, it’s all about listening to what your body wants

Chur.