FAT, IT'S GOOD!

I often get asked about fat. How good or bad is it? Fat is needed. Without it, you would look old, you would have problems with natural joint and skin lubrication and you would not be able to assimilate the vitamins A and E in your diet. It's the kind of fat that is the issue. Let's start with Butter.

BUTTER

Butter is a dairy product and is high in saturated fat. Other 'experts' may say it causes heart disease and cholesterol problems. Actually butter is very nourishing to the body (in moderate amounts) and can be used in cooking without going rancid (within use by date). If you are allergic to dairy, you may want to steer clear, but maybe, as it is just fat, it may be fine. The butter I am talking about needs to be 100% butter and organic preferred.

COCONUT OIL

Coconut oil is excellent, especially with it's fatty acid profile. It may be saturated fat. But this saturated fat is not like any other saturated fat. This fatty profile warms the body and is very productive with weight loss (with moderate amounts). The amount to use would be a table spoon in smoothies, per day. As the fatty profile is saturated, it has a high smoke point without going rancid or carcinogenic in cooking. Other 'experts' say coconut oil and milk could cause heart problems, elevated blood pressure, and cholesterol issues. This is just scare mongering and is not true. Coconuts (coconut milk, coconut oil, coconut juice) are beneficial for the body. However, it has to be 'virgin', organic, or close to nature as possible.

NUT SEEDS SPREADS & MARGARINE

Nut Seeds Spreads and Margarine are always advertised as being beneficial for health, as they have 'heart loving' polyunsaturated oils. Margarine is actually black, when made, then finished with food dye. The nuts and seeds have been heated and therefore, are already rancid and possibly carcinogenic. Polyunsaturated oils have a low smoke point. The free radicals and trans fatty acids are created. This basically is one molecule away from being plastic. This "stuff" goes into the bloodstream and can cause plaque in the arteries amongst other things.

So the best oil to have for cooking is coconut, sesame, butter and ghee (glorified butter). The best for salads are, olive oil. As I have said before, Olive oil (extra virgin) is fine when slightly heated, but only on low heat. If you are cooking on high heat, add Celtic or Himalayan sea salt to the food afterwards.

There is a lot of recent media on Trans Fats. They are in baked goods, ice cream and everything you can think of. The use of them is cheap, and therefore better for the manufacturer. Trans Fats are nothing new and have been in your favourite foods for decades, since the 60's. If you see in the ingredient listing, "Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil", "Vegetable Oil" or "Vegetable Fat", then it contains trans fat.

To reduce your consumption of trans fat, cook with better oils, read ingredient listings, and research. Take responsibility for your own health, your doctor won't.

HEALTH MATTERS