LONDON: There is a fat chance that you think eating fat is bad for health and the waistline. But leading health and nutrition experts have come together to dispel common myths about what you have been told is bad for you. They reveal that a “fear of fat” and modern-day eating habits are resulting in the consumption too little good fats, such as Omega-3.
This lack of understanding about fats and our increasing reliance on convenience foods, which often contain trans fats, may put heart health at risk. “The word ‘fat’ carries many negative connotations and as such, this nutrient continues to be one of the most demonised food groups,” said nutritionist Christine Bailey.
“In reality, fats are incredibly important to our overall health and we should focus on achieving the right balance in our diets, embracing sources of ‘good’ fat, such as Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are proven to support heart health,” added Bailey. Omega-3s are essential fatty acids, which must be obtained through the diet as the body can’t efficiently produce them independently.
Guidelines given by experts suggest that a healthy diet should include at least two portions of fish every week, including one portion of oily fish. “The key is focusing on making simple, positive changes, such as including oily fish like mackerel or salmon in your diet, or experimenting with flaxseed oil in cooking, as opposed to using oils high in saturated fat,” said Bailey.
Latest studies show insufficient consumption of such foods; so, we are not consuming the level of Omega-3s that our body requires. Just as modern-day eating habits have altered, the way we consume information and make health decisions has also changed due to the huge volume of information available at our disposal.
“Today’s consumers are better informed, but not better educated. All too often, people absorb information they see without truly understanding it and it is this lack of understanding, which also applies to the issue of fat consumption that we need to address,” said expert Roger Henderson.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2014.
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