Information about Fat Macronutrients
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Posted On :
Aug-26-2011
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Article Word Count :
429
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Fat macro nutrients are high in calories, but that does not mean that all fats are bad for you.
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Fat in its purest form is the most efficient form of energy in our bodies. In each gram of fat there are 9 calories. When you compare it to the calories per grams in either carbs or proteins you can see where the negative stereotypes regarding fat come from. If you eat 1 gram of fat – any kind of vegetable oil or animal fat, you are getting more than twice the calories as you do when eating 1 gram of carbohydrate or protein.
The fats we consider “good” are called unsaturated fats and usually come from plants. Unsaturated fats have the essential fatty acids needed for healthy living and energy. There are many medical studies that demonstrate how unsaturated fats help to lower cholesterol and promote good cholesterol. Healthy sources of unsaturated fats come from soy, olive oil, and all kinds of nuts and seeds. Another great form of fat is fish oil, which is among the most beneficial. Another good fat for preventing health problems is flaxseed oil. This is the highest natural source of omega-3 fatty acids.
The “bad,” or saturated fats are usually related to animals, except for fish, which again is full of the omega-3 fatty acids. Bad fats raise the levels of LDL cholesterol and can even increase the risk of certain cancers. Chicken fat, beef fat, lard, butterfat, and fat found in eggs are good examples of the “bad” saturated fats.
Another type of “bad” fat is trans-fat. This kind of fat is found in margarine, solid shortenings, and some fried foods. It’s formed when liquid oils are hydrogenated or hardened, or when they are heated to a high temperature. You want to avoid these kinds of fats as much as possible.
Always remember that all fats, whether “good” or “bad,” are full of calories – 9 per gram. That’s approximately 120 calories per tablespoon of any kind of oil. So even if it’s called “good” fat, you can still get too much of a good thing as with nuts. At 900 calories per cup, eating nuts can cause you to gain a lot of weight.
As with everything, the key to eating fats in your diet is moderation. A small amount of good fats in the diet are good for health and well being, but that is no excuse to go overboard. Take a close look at the labeling on the foods you eat to make sure you are eating the right amount and the right type of fats.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Information about Fat Macronutrients_77198.aspx
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Author Resource :
To find out more information about nutrition and health visit genoVive.
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Keywords :
Nutrition Information, Health Information, Fat Macronutrients, Macronutrient Information,
Category :
Health and Fitness
:
Nutrition
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