Eat Fat, Loose Fat!

Since the 1950s the government, media, "health experts" and food advertisers have engrained the following five words into the minds of Americans: "Avoid foods high in fat."  In turn, many Americans cut down on saturated and other forms of fat that are actually quite healthy and necessary to the body at the appropriate levels. And here's what happened: America got fatter anyway, and sicker too.  Now, nearly three-quarters of all Americans are considered overweight. Meanwhile, diseases that are associated with overweight, such as diabetes, are at epidemic proportions in the United States.

Well, here's the good news.  You can enjoy healthy fats in your diet, loose weight and lower your risk of the following health care concerns when you include the appropriate fats in your diet!  A dietary balance of healthy fats has been shown to lower the incidence of:

• Diabetes
• Depression
• Fungal infections
• Gallbladder ailments
• Hypoglycemia

Cooking Oils

Anytime you cook a food you run the risk of creating heat-induced damage.  Given this, it is extremely important to choose cooking oils high in saturated fats as these fats do not degrade with heat.  Examples of stable cooking oils include:

• Coconut oil (a great immune booster)
• Palm oil
• Deep Yellow Butter (from organically raised beef)
• Lard (from organically raised beef)

Don't be scared away by the negative view of 'saturated fat' portrayed by the media. Many studies have shown that a low-fat diet is not the answer for preventing heart disease, and some scientists are calling for new dietary guidelines that reflect this discovery.

Although mainstream media portrays olive oil as the healthiest oil, this title does not extend to cooking. Olive oil is a smart fat to include in your diet in a non-heated form, however. Olive oil becomes very unstable in heat and such oils have been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and heart disease when they are used in high heat cooking.  

Healthy Fats for Food Preparation - Do Not Apply Heat

• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• Cold Pressed Sesame Oil

Supplements for Optimal Health

• Omega 3 Oils
  • EPA/DHA
  • Cod Liver Oil
• Evening Primrose Oil

Foods/ Snacks High in Healthy Fats

• Eggs
• Cream (from organically raised cattle)
• Nuts (preferably soaked & in airtight packages)
  • Pecans
  • Almonds
  • Cashews
  • Walnuts

Unhealthy Fats to Avoid

• Canola
• Corn
• Safflower
• Soy
• Sunflower

• Trans Fats  (partially or fully hydrogenated vegetable oils)
  • Manufactured Foods
  • Margarine
  • Chips
  • Donuts
  • Fried Foods

* The above material is for information purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat any disease.  Please seek the advice of your medical doctor with any medical related concerns

I'm Wanted!

By MDA

Fresh, Local, and In-Season Foods! 

• Sources for delicious, healthy, locally grown, and in-season foods.
• Information about Indiana farmers, businesses, and individuals who grow, raise, produce, and sell local foods.
• Recipes and tips for preparing seasonal dishes that are healthy, quick, easy, and delicious.
• A community for sharing thoughts, ideas, and experiences for "Going Local" in Indiana.

www.goinglocal-info.com