Fats always seem to get a bad rap and I blame the media. Every glossy female health magazine will have something in there which suggests avoiding fat and opting for low fat alternatives is the best way to a slender figure. I disagree and I want to share with you why.

To band all fats together is criminal in my opinion, it is like saying lean fillet steak and budget sausages are the same in regards to protein quality. The right fats are crucial to our health and these fats are one of the best ways to burn body fat. It sounds crazy I know but keep reading on and you’ll see why.

To start with let’s break down fats into sub-categories.

Saturated Fats

Often found in red meats, nuts and eggs saturated fats have gained a bad reputation and are often referred to as a health hazard. The truth is they are essential to our health and they play key roles in the production of certain hormones. Obviously the trick is to get them from quality sources including free range eggs, beef steak and nuts rather than processed junk food.

Unsaturated Fats (Polyunsaturated & Monounsaturated)

These are the fats we want more of because they carry an array of health benefits. Omega 3 oil, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, nuts, oily fish and free range eggs are all excellent sources. Unsaturated fats help with cell production, hormone production, joint health, sustaining healthy cholesterol levels (yes you heard right!) and as I said fat loss.

Hydrogenated & Trans Fats

These are the only fats I would tell you to avoid at all costs as they have no function. They are effectively an artificial fat because they have been processed altering the way they behave within the body. Due to the processing they are highly toxic and carry no benefits. If you are eating well you will almost by default be avoiding such foods which contain them. Things like deep fried fast foods are the main culprits and anything cooked in vegetable oil.

So that’s the background information on fats, but I bet the whole time you were reading this you still don’t understand how eating fat helps with fat loss. Let me explain why …

Enhanced Fat Metabolism

I want you to imagine this analogy, that within the body there is a switch which can be flicked on or off for fat loss. When you follow a diet limited in dietary fats it is easy for that switch to flick off. Why? The body uses fat as a valuable energy source and for a range of key functions. If it feels as though there is no more fat coming it will not allow what it has stored to go. This is the body protecting itself. When you ingest a range of healthy fats it encourages the body to utilise stored fat as an energy source which in turn leads to a reduction in body fat.

Insulin & Fat

Fats which are rich in Omega 3’s are literally magical when it comes to encouraging fat loss. One of the main reasons is improved insulin sensitivity.

The cell where all nutrients are processed in the mitochondria is surrounded by 2 layers of fat. A diet rich in saturated fats will cause these layers to be fairly rigid making it more difficult for nutrients to pass through from the blood stream. If they stay in the blood stream they are more likely to become stored energy and very soon body fat. What’s more the insulin in the blood remains there, making you more resistant to insulin over time. Omega 3’s make these layers of fat more liquid like and in turn making nutrient absorption from the blood much easier.

Fats are not only good, but essential to health and fat loss. Now you know why I don’t like fat free or low fat products and I encourage you to enjoy natural fat sources.