Keep in mind this was not written for people
suffering with Pancreatitis, but you will fine some
interesting facts and will pick up some good pointers too.
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Sorting out the fats
Eating low-fat food doesn't mean we should give up
fat entirely, but we do need to educate ourselves about
which fats should ideally be avoided and which ones are
more heart-healthy. Let's be clear: we need fat in our
diet. As the most concentrated source of calories (nine
calories per gram of fat compared with four calories
per gram for protein and carbohydrates), it helps supply
energy. Fat provides linoleic acid, an essential fatty
acid for growth, healthy skin and metabolism. It also
helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K). And,
face it, fat adds flavor and is satisfying, making us
feel fuller, keeping hunger at bay.
Although all fats have the same amount of calories,
some are more harmful than others: saturated fats and
trans fats in particular.
Saturated fats are derived from animal products such
as meat, dairy and eggs.
But they are also found in some plant-based sources such
as coconut, palm and palm kernel oils. These fats are solid
at room temperature. Saturated fats clog our arteries and
directly raise total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
Avoid them as much as possible.
Trans fats are actually unsaturated fats, but they can
raise total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while also
lowering HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Trans fats are
used to extend the shelf life of processed foods, typically
cookies, cakes, fries and donuts. Any item that
contains "hydrogenated oil" or "partially hydrogenated oil"
likely contains trans fats. Hydrogenation is the chemical
process that changes liquid oils into solid fats. The tide
is turning against trans fats. All food manufacturers will
be required to list trans fat content on the food label by
2006. Some are already doing so.
Unsaturated fats Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated
fats are two types of unsaturated fatty acids. They are
derived from vegetables and plants.
Monounsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature
but begin to solidify at cold temperatures. This type of
fat is preferable to other types of fat and can be found
in olives, olive oil, nuts, peanut oil, canola oil and
avocados. Some studies have shown that these kinds of
fats can actually lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and maintain
HDL (good) cholesterol.
Polyunsaturated fats are also liquid at room
temperature. These are found in safflower, sesame, corn,
cottonseed and soybean oils. This type of fat has also
been shown to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol, but too
much can also lower your HDL cholesterol.
Omega-3 fatty acids These are "essential" fatty
acids, which means they are considered critical for our
health but cannot be manufactured by our bodies. Good
sources include cold-water fish, flax seed, soy, and
walnuts. These fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary
heart disease and also boost our immune systems.
So read those food labels carefully and choose your
fats wisely.
Source / About
http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/lowfatbasics/a/fats1004.htm
Sincerely
Gary - Virginia
With Warmest Regards & God Bless
Gary Morris ~ Virginia
Customer Service Manager
garymorrisuva@...
garyattpp@...
Phone 434-490-7191
gary@...
http://www.thepancreatitisplace.org/