Fat is not a Four Letter Word
Fear of eating foods with fat has almost become a national epidemic. The media is filled with messages about the dangers of eating fat. We are told " Excess saturated fats can raise blood cholesteral levels, clog your heart and arteries, and may cause a heart attack ." The supermarkets have been flooded with increasing numbers of fat-free products.
At one time in history eating was different. One could eat a cheeseburger or bacon and eggs or enjoy an ice cream cone without the guilt that is associated with eating these foods today. Approximately 10-15 years ago this changed. Physicians and dieticians began warning patients that dietary fat was "bad". Those with common sense reduced fat in moderation, perhaps cooking with less butter and oil, or maybe eating vegetables plain. Many took the warning to an extreme. Those who are at risk for eating disorders, those who have trouble with the concept of moderation, can become "dietary fat phobic."
These "phobics" fear that even a gram of fat consumed will turn into pounds of fat on their body. Typically they avoid all foods containing fat and exist on diets of fruit, vegeatables, grains, and fat-free frozen yogurt.
Fat deficiency is just as real a problem as overconsumption of fat. Some dietary fat is necessary. It supplies the body with essential fatty acids, which make nerve cells and hormones and help transport and absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Fat also makes food more palatable. It enhances the flavor, aroma, and texture of foods
Although so many Americans are cutting down on their dietary fat intake, these same people are gaining weight. One reasonable hypothesis for this phenomenon is that people tend to view food in a dichotomous fashion. Fat is all bad. Carbohydrates are all good. Therefore it is OK to overeat as long as you are overeating on carbohydrates. Obviously this is not true. A calorie is a calorie and if you eat more carbohydrate calories than your body needs this surplus will be stored as fat.
There may also be biochemical mechanisms at work which regulate fat intake and satiety. Fat intake releases an intestinal hormone, cholecystokinin. This hormone slows gastric emptying and produces a feeling of satiety. Eating carbohydrates and eliminating fat can cause the sensation of hunger to return sooner as well as the feeling of never being satisfied. Fat avoiders may also end up with food obsessions due to chronic hunger.
Another negative consequence of fat avoidance is guilt. Those who view fat as all bad tend to feel guilty when eating even small amounts of fat. Obviously, guilt surrounding eating is not healthy. It is important to remember that food is simply fuel, often a source of pleasure--but never the enemy.
At one time in history eating was different. One could eat a cheeseburger or bacon and eggs or enjoy an ice cream cone without the guilt that is associated with eating these foods today. Approximately 10-15 years ago this changed. Physicians and dieticians began warning patients that dietary fat was "bad". Those with common sense reduced fat in moderation, perhaps cooking with less butter and oil, or maybe eating vegetables plain. Many took the warning to an extreme. Those who are at risk for eating disorders, those who have trouble with the concept of moderation, can become "dietary fat phobic."
These "phobics" fear that even a gram of fat consumed will turn into pounds of fat on their body. Typically they avoid all foods containing fat and exist on diets of fruit, vegeatables, grains, and fat-free frozen yogurt.
Fat deficiency is just as real a problem as overconsumption of fat. Some dietary fat is necessary. It supplies the body with essential fatty acids, which make nerve cells and hormones and help transport and absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Fat also makes food more palatable. It enhances the flavor, aroma, and texture of foods
Although so many Americans are cutting down on their dietary fat intake, these same people are gaining weight. One reasonable hypothesis for this phenomenon is that people tend to view food in a dichotomous fashion. Fat is all bad. Carbohydrates are all good. Therefore it is OK to overeat as long as you are overeating on carbohydrates. Obviously this is not true. A calorie is a calorie and if you eat more carbohydrate calories than your body needs this surplus will be stored as fat.
There may also be biochemical mechanisms at work which regulate fat intake and satiety. Fat intake releases an intestinal hormone, cholecystokinin. This hormone slows gastric emptying and produces a feeling of satiety. Eating carbohydrates and eliminating fat can cause the sensation of hunger to return sooner as well as the feeling of never being satisfied. Fat avoiders may also end up with food obsessions due to chronic hunger.
Another negative consequence of fat avoidance is guilt. Those who view fat as all bad tend to feel guilty when eating even small amounts of fat. Obviously, guilt surrounding eating is not healthy. It is important to remember that food is simply fuel, often a source of pleasure--but never the enemy.
