any one else LOVE the health benifits of fats?

I am really loving fats at the moment. I just love how they provide so many health benefits and they make my skin and hair look so much nicer!

I never restricted fats, I have always had a good amount, about 30% of my calories, but I am starting to increase my intake to about 35% of my total calories; maybe even a tad more because I only count calories 2 - 3 days a week

Research has shown that women eating the non saturated fats at about 35% had lowered cholesterol, so that is not the concern. I am just curious weather any one else is as enthusiastic about fats as I am!

I don’t go CRAZY, but I like at least 30% of my calories to be from good fats like olive oil and flaxseed oil.

Fats have never adversely affected me, or my weight, does any one else function well with slighter more fats?

Plenty of peole have had great improvements to their cardiac health, cholesterol levels, and fat loss by eating high fat diets.

And saturated fats get a bad rap, they aren't as good as some other forms of fat, but they're still good for ya.

Fats are the most important nutriments in my current diet   I lose more weight by eating more fats and I feel really great !

I am all about fats! I get at least 30% of my calories from fat, sometimes as much as 40%. I eat olive oil on a pretty much daily basis, and also enjoy fatty fish like salmon and sardines, nuts like walnuts and almonds, and avocados. I don't consume a huge amount of saturated fat, but do enjoy indulging in cheese - maybe one serving per day or so. I find that eating a high fat diet helps me keep my energy up throughout the day. My cholesterol is good, and I am losing weight steadily. The only time I have had a bad cholesterol reading was when I was eating a low-fat near-vegan diet. Go figure.

As someone who chooses FF foods when that version is available, it might be thought I dont appreciate them but I find in these foods, flavor wise its not worth the calories. 

On the other hand, I love nuts and eat a serving or two a day.  Plus Im a regular consumer of salmon, a favorite food with healthy Omega-3 which got me on it but the taste kept me eating it regularly.

My fat intake is probably moderate but my FF food choices could be decieving - I intake fat but using my own preferences.

yes, Yes, YES!!!  :)  Not only does my skin/hair/nails look better, I also feel fuller and more satisfied, AND I spend less time sidelined with running injuries.  It's a win-win-win!

Original Post by floggingsully:

And saturated fats get a bad rap, they aren't as good as some other forms of fat, but they're still good for ya.

 I don't entirely agree.  While certain sat fats can raise good cholesterol, they ALL raise bad cholesterol and trans fat even LOWERS good cholesterol.  So I wouldn't be singing the praises of any of the sat fats.

But fats are good, they make you feel full (which is why low-fat, fat-free snacks SUCK and make you more hungry) and they also enable your body to metobolise certain essential nutrients.  But all three macro-nutrients do amazing things, which is why low-carb/low-fat/all-protein....whatever diets are really stupid.  Balance is key.

Original Post by thermal:

 I don't entirely agree.  While certain sat fats can raise good cholesterol, they ALL raise bad cholesterol

From the article I posted: "Although more than a dozen types of saturated fat exist, humans predominantly consume three: stearic acid, palmitic acid, and lauric acid. This trio comprises almost 95 percent of the saturated fat in a hunk of prime rib, a slice of bacon, or a piece of chicken skin, and nearly 70 percent of that in butter and whole milk.

 Today, it's well established that stearic acid has no effect on cholesterol levels. In fact, stearic acid -- which is found in high amounts in cocoa as well as animal fat --i s converted to a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid in your liver. This is the same heart-healthy fat found in olive oil. As a result, scientists generally regard this saturated fatty acid as either benign or potentially beneficial to your health.

Palmitic and lauric acid, however, are known to raise total cholesterol. But here's what's rarely reported: Research shows that although both of these saturated fatty acids increase LDL ("bad") cholesterol, they raise HDL ("good") cholesterol just as much, if not more. And this lowers your risk of heart disease"

Original Post by thermal:

and trans fat even LOWERS good cholesterol.  So I wouldn't be singing the praises of any of the sat fats.

 What does the effect trans fats have on your cholesterol have to do with saturated fats?  Trans fats are either poly or monounsaturated but are never saturated.

I was recently diagnosed with PCOS and have lost almost 20 lbs on a (35%)high fat low carb diet. I had trouble loosing any weight and keeping it off whenever I tried to follow a low fat diet. I have been taking omega-3 supplements in addition to this. My skin, hair and scalp look and feel a lot better.

Does anyone have any experiences with extra virgin organic coconut oil?  I love the stuff myself.  I put 1-1/2 tablespoons into my yogurt every morning.  It really keeps my energy up and my skin feels so soft.  It works behind the scenes and I feel it is very nourishing.  I even use it on my skin in place of moisturizer.  I wouldn't be without it.  The brands that I prefer are Emerald Labs (GNC) & NSI (Vitacost.com), tropical traditions is probably excellent but pricey.  Great stuff!

80 % of my Calories come from fat.  The rest is meat.  I only eat animal fat which is 50% or so saturated fat.  I feel great, have tons of energy, have lost 25 lbs (down to 122lbs at 5'6") -- it all flew off when I stopped eating carbs.  

Animal fat and meat is what humans evolved on.

Original Post by marneedear:

80 % of my Calories come from fat.  The rest is meat.  I only eat animal fat which is 50% or so saturated fat.  I feel great, have tons of energy, have lost 25 lbs (down to 122lbs at 5'6") -- it all flew off when I stopped eating carbs.  

Animal fat and meat is what humans evolved on.

can you give me examples of the types of foods you would eat from day to day?

Flogging Sully wrote: Trans fats are either poly or monounsaturated but are never saturated.

Is this a typo? I thought that

• mono unsaturated fats were good for you. mufa's ! 
  
• Trans fats are made of hydroginated and partially hydroginated oils,
  
  • distinctly not poly and monounsaturated fats, which are supposed to be the healthiest, (next to the omega's) like that found in olive oil, almonds etc. 

thanks for any clarification! cuz now im confused. . . . 

Original Post by marneedear:

Animal fat and meat is what humans evolved on.

I would look into that a little more.  Probably not likely.

Edit:  I also love extra virigin/raw coconut oil.  Tasty and great as a moisturizer!

Original Post by bubbles556:

Flogging Sully wrote: Trans fats are either poly or monounsaturated but are never saturated.

Is this a typo? I thought that

 

• mono unsaturated fats were good for you. mufa's ! 
  
• Trans fats are made of hydroginated and partially hydroginated oils,
  
  • distinctly not poly and monounsaturated fats, which are supposed to be the healthiest, (next to the omega's) like that found in olive oil, almonds etc. 

 

thanks for any clarification! cuz now im confused. . . . 

mono and poly unsaturated fats are good for you because they contain cis double bonds which bend the long carbon chain and make the fat molecules not able to pack tightly. Saturated fats are completely hydrogenated so they have no double bonds and are straight which means they pack well and can be solid at room temperature. A trans fat means that the fat molecules have at least one double bond that is trans instead of cis, this causes the fat molecule to kink but mainly stay straight, which turns out to be a very bad combination for your body. Since the very word trans means theres a double bond, trans fats must be mono or poly unsaturated. Hope that clears things up :)

If you all adore healthy fats like me: join my group I created on this website called: (Healthy) Fat Lovers!!! ha ha ha!

* I eat liberal amounts of fat: when my mom makes salad dressing she puts 3 glug, glugs of flaxseed oil in a bowl along with dijoin mustard, apple cider vinegar & a bit of water... then mixes it up and pours atop her LARGE and in charge salad full of cabbage, mixed greens, bell peppers, dandelion & celery (I am talking about 7 or 8 cups worth)... and she and I split it! I don't even think about calories because I know how healthy this oil is! Plus Fat + Non Starchy Vegetables = More Health Benefits because Fat Helps the Body Absorb Vegetable Nutrients!

* When I go to the store (fish counter) I always ask the fish monger to cut my pieces of salmon...BELLY! The fattiest most delicious part of the salmon! I simply broil these pieces in the oven until cripsy and it's like the fish is back in it's natural habitat because it's SWIMMING... but not swimming in water, swimming in FAT! HMMMMMM! I pour that fat over steamed cabbage (actually something I will be doing tonight) and it tastes like... mac & cheese! Granted I haven't had mac & cheese for about... 8 years now so my taste buds could be a bit off, but still it's delicious!!!

* When I buy canned fish I always buy the fish canned in Olive Oil & Nothing Else because Olive Oil it totally good for you too! Plus, When I combine this canned fish with steamed green beans, hard boiled eggs, olives, capers & red onion - it's like there is a party going on in my mouth!! 

Thanks Giabash, I will join when I have time!

I LOVE FLAXSEED OIL! It is just SO GOOD FOR YOU and SO TASTY!

I didn’t know about the salmon BELLY being fattier? THANKS so much for that info! I get salmon A LOT and it is my favorite animal protein so I am very happy to know how to ask for the tastiest bit! Does it really make the much of a difference, getting the belly?

I LOVE apple cider vinegar too.

It is funny how us fat lovers are FAR from fat haha…

I don’t know that I could get 80% my calories through fats every day though! My body likes fish, not meat, and I love raw nuts and raw fruits and vegetables too, I believe that humans have evolved on these raw foods for long enough for them to be ideal for some people.

Ultimately, we all have a different evolutionary heritage so we have to figure out what works best for our individual body; I am just finding that I enjoy fats a lot, and I tolerate a high fat diet well!

When I say high fat, I mean like 40% calories. I vary between 30 - 40, but usually 35 - 40%