Hey Chub Chasers, We all Gotta Have Some Fat Ya'll

Mkay. Lets review:

Protein: building blocks of the body
Carbs: Energy for the Body

Now you hear about healthy fats.....say what fat? Yes, you need fat too. We all have it...and its important mkay?

Fat does more internal things. It insultates your body organs, maintains your body temp and helps promote healthy cell function.

Fat also is an energy storage center for your body. Your body will store excess calories as fat, which is healthy, in moderation. Your body will store excess calories as fat.....so you can use them as energy later. Your body breaks down fat....for energy when needed.

So what I am saying, you can have your fat...and eat it too.

BUT....only certain types of fat ya'll.

Your body needs fatty acids to help build cell membranes...as well as help with key fuctions in the brain, eyes, and lunges. Fat helps your cells stay movable and flexible.

The human body uses fatty acids to do everything from building cell membranes to performing key functions in the brain, eyes, and lungs. The functions of fats include: (please itunes Baby Got Back...while reading....)

---Brain: Fats compose sixty percent of the brain and are essential to brain functioning which include learning abilities, memory retention and moods.

--Cells: Fatty acids help your cells stay moveable and flexible, as well as being responsible for building cell membranes
(ba-nanas)

--Heart: Sixty percent of our heart’s energy comes from burning fats. Specific fats are also used to help keep the heart beating in a regular rhythm...should a 90s music song cue here??

--Nerves: Fats compose the material that insulates and protects the nerves, isolating electrical impulses and speeding their transmission...so fats make you fast??

--Lungs: Lung surfactant (say that out loud three times), which requires a high concentration of saturated fats, enables the lungs to work and keeps them from collapsing (nobody likes saggy lunges)

--Eyes: Fats are essential to eye function (I am thinking that kid from The Sixth Sense had allllot of fats, I mean he sees dead people and all.....!)

--Digestion: Fats in a meal slow down the digestion process so the body has more time to absorb nutrients. Fats help provide a constant level of energy and also keep the body happy for longer periods of time. Fatsoluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) can only be absorbed if fat is present (I call this a FATastic bonus!)

--Organs: Fats cushion and protect your internal organs (is this where more cushion for the pushin comes from???)

--Immune System: some fats help inflammation, helping your metabolism and immune system stay healthy and functioning (oh snap did someone say metabolism??)

Before you jump in the car and run to Chic-Fil-A......not all fats are created equal.

Some types:

-Monounsaturated fats: these are plant oils....from canola...to olive oil....also found in avocados, almonds, and seeds like pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds

-Polyunsaturated fats: sunflower, corn, soybean, and flaxseed oils, and also foods such as walnuts, flax seeds, and fish. This fat group includes the Omega-3 of fatty acids that are anti-inflammatory and your body can’t make. Omega-3 fats are found in very few foods. Salmon...this is why you eat wild salmon!

Omega 3s are called super healthy fats! They are needed for body functions like controlling blood clotting and building cell membranes in the brain. They are said to help with your heart, liver (who even has one left at this age) and depression.

Good sources: fatty fish like salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, or sardines, or if you don't want to eat that....try some cold-water fish oil supplements. Canned albacore tuna and trout can also be good sources, pending on how the fish were raised and processed.

Saturated fat: these come mostly in animal products like red meat and whole dairy milk.....also in tropical oils like coconut, palm and foods from these oils . These fats raise low-dense lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol that increases your risk of heart disease.

PLEASE NOTE: It is NOT necessary to eat saturated fat sources since our bodies can produce all the saturated fat that we need when we consume enough of the bueno fats. (like a steakhouse in your body)

I do love me some red meat......but you have to make it a treat. Also, I try to eat a filet...which is leaner red meat...and fancy! I am fancy!

and now to the red headed step child of fats...the bully of them all....TRANS FAT:

okay I copied the definition because its just too gross EW:

Trans fats are created by heating liquid vegetable oils in the presence of hydrogen gas (vom), a process called hydrogenation. Partially hydrogenating vegetable oils makes them more stable and less likely to spoil, which is very good for food manufacturers and very bad for you.

AKA its cheap....and bad....like a Vegas h@@ker.

Sources of trans fat are vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, candies, cookies, snack foods, fried foods, baked goods, and other processed foods made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils...make sure you check the label....who wants cheap and bad h@@kers? Oh I mean fats.

Trans fat....raises LDL (bad cholesterol) and lowers HLD (good cholesterol).

So there you go...a lesson on findin' fats. You need to be careful with amounts. Since fats can be tricky...talk to your doc or a registered dietician about the amounts you need. But do add fats like fatty fish, olive oils, salmon, and almonds etc into your diet....cook with extra virgin (no Vegas h@@kers here) olive oils...instead of butter.

Limit red meats.....and stay away from those Vegas H@@kers, hey I am just looking out for ya. :)