How many of you are eating a low carb diet or are trying to eliminate as many carbs in your diet as possible? I bet quite a few!
If you are eating low carb and low fat, that really leaves you with nothing but protein and that is not a healthy or sustainable plan.
Sustainable, healthy ways of eating like the Paleo diet or the Mediterranean diet are low carb but are high in leafy greens and healthy fats.
Contrary to how we have eaten in the past, studies now show that getting healthy fats into our diet is important.
These good fats can improve blood cholesterol levels, lower your risk of heart disease, and benefit insulin levels and blood sugar. Omega-3 fats are particularly beneficial for your brain and mood.
So, how do we define a healthy fat? Heathy fats are found in non-processed or minimally processed foods. Unhealthy fats are found in overly processed fats like margarine, vegetable oils and other highly processed foods like pizza, fries and hot dogs — best to stay away from them.
Here are 10 ways you can increase your healthy fat consumption:
1. Choose fattier meats and fish like dark chicken meat, salmon and fattier cuts of beef
2. Use more fat when cooking. Choose butter, coconut oil or olive oil.
3. Eggs are high in protein and cholesterol which is not a problem since dietary cholesterol doesn’t raise blood cholesterol for most people.
4. Eat nuts. Nuts are nutritious and packed with fat.
5. Eat avocados. Avocados are high in healthy fat and you can have an avocado with just about anything!
6. Put cream, ghee, or coconut oil in your coffee.
7. Eat mayonnaise.
8. Eat full fat cheeses.
9. Eat Dark chocolate (70-90% cocoa). Gotta like this one! It is a great source of antioxidants and healthy fats!
10. Eat Bacon. That one speaks for itself!
Of course, the best advice for a healthy diet – Moderation!