I’m about to drop a bombshell here. This goes against everything we have been told for most of our lives and will simultaneously shock and fascinate you:

Fat. Is. Good.

There, I said it. In fact, fat can help you lose weight, have more energy, and have beautiful skin and shiny hair. “Sacrilege!” you say. “Aren’t we supposed to follow a low-fat diet in order to maintain our ever so important figures and so we don’t have heart problems?!” Yes and no.

Donut=BAD     Avocado=GOOD

First, we need to discuss that there is a HUGE difference in fats. When I say fats are good for you, I’m not talking about that bag of potato chips, Ramen Noodles, or that pint of ice cream you’ve been lusting after. These are loaded with trans fats and saturated fats which are the kind you want to avoid. These fats will raise your LDL (bad cholesterol), lower your HDL (good cholesterol), and increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. Not to mention, they’ll increase your waistline.

***Keep in mind that meats and cheeses fall into the category of saturated fats, but if eaten in moderation with a healthy diet can be a valuable source of nutrients and protein. I’m mainly (and rightly) demonizing processed foods for their fat content in this post, as I 100% fully support eating a diet of real foods (including meat and cheese if you so desire).

What I’m talking about are healthy fats from real food sources like avocados, eggs, nuts, seeds, olive oil, coconut oil, fish, etc. These are loaded with healthy unsaturated fats like Omega-3, Omega-6, linoleic acid, and oleic acid. These fats have been shown to actually improve cholesterol levels, decrease your risks for stroke and heart attacks, and they aid in fat loss! In addition, you will be fueling your brain (sharpening your mind while simultaneously reducing your risks of Alzheimer’s and Dementia), easing arthritis and joint pain, and can help you fight fatigue and balance your mood!
Do I even need to mention that you’re going to look FABULOUS?! Your fit body, boundless energy, and flawless skin and hair will be the envy of all.

Why Low-Fat Labels are Misleading

When food manufacturers take the fat out of a food they have to replace it with something else. This is usually a refined carbohydrate from sugar. Because the are digested very quickly, these refined carbs can cause a spike in blood sugar and insulin levels. When these high levels drop again, hunger is a result which often leads to overeating. These kinds of foods are often devoid of nutrients and never promote satiety, almost ensuring you will binge late. Not to mention, the extra carbs and sugar will almost certainly derail your weight loss efforts.

NOT health foods!

Do yourself a favor and ditch the unhealthy low-fat lifestyle and reach for some nutritious, delicious fats instead.
Here are a few of the staples in my kitchen that I consume every single day:

• Coconut oil– I prefer coconut oil. I use this in baking and cooking as wells as for a base to make fat bombs (tasty health treats!). Often, to increase my fat intake (and to tide me over during my fasting period of the day), I’ll add a tablespoon to a hot beverage.
• Olive Oil– I recommend finding oil that is in a dark, glass container like olive oil. This prevents the light from damaging the amazing health effects.
• Avocado– I try to eat half an avocado a day. I add it to salads, green smoothies, homemade guacamole, eggs, or even as a pizza topping!
• Eggs– I eat eggs like they’re going out of style. I love frying some up in olive oil and sprinkling with some turmeric and pink himalayan salt
• Nuts– A handful of almonds or walnuts makes a perfect brain-boosting snack, especially when you’re on the go. Just throw some in a Ziploc bag and you’re good to go!