A low fat diet is one in which food intake is reduced to a minimal amount, often less than ten percent of the daily normal calorie intake. Low-fat diets often are designed to reduce the likelihood of serious medical conditions like obesity and heart disease. The concept behind a low-fat diet is that the body requires certain foods that come from plant sources to provide most of the nutrients needed by the body. In other words, plant sources of fat are best when consumed for supporting the body’s cells rather than filling them with saturated fat.
A low fat diet could contain foods like whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, dairy products, and nuts. The recommended percentage of these different food groups would be around five percent on a daily basis. The other percentage could consist of lean dairy products, poultry, and lean meats. Foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and trans fats should also be avoided.
It is extremely important to avoid saturated fats, as they increase cholesterol levels and increase the risks of heart diseases. Foods that are rich in unsaturated fats should also be avoided; examples include dairy products, fried foods, processed foods, red meat, and poultry. Another way to help reduce cholesterol levels is by consuming foods that are high in fiber-vegetables like leafy greens and dark green leafy vegetables. Fiber-rich foods help slow down the digestion process, preventing constipation.
Oils can be used instead of butter. Some unsaturated oils are considered “good fats,” which provide health benefits by lowering cholesterol. However, there is a high demand for unsaturated oils, so cooking with these types of oils is tricky. Many restaurants in Los Angeles to serve meals with high fat foods, but alternatives are available.
While many people avoid saturated fats, butter is still widely used because it is delicious and very healthy at the same time. Butter substitutes can be purchased, or if you have a store bought choice, you can simply drink more water. Low fat foods should always be combined with high fiber-rich vegetables and fruits, as these two ingredients help your body to more easily digest the fats in your diet. Also, fruits should be eaten in large quantities, since they are high in fiber and low in calories.
Whole grain breads and cereals are a great substitute for regular white bread. However, whole grain breads and cereals often contain hidden fats and sugars. High quality whole grain products can contain no more than 10% saturated fats, no more than 8% sodium, and no more than 10% sugar. This is far healthier than the average white breads and cereals that you find on the market.
The best foods for a low fat diet are those, which are unsaturated fats, such as those found in olives and dark green vegetables. Unsaturated fats are also found in fish, nuts, seeds, and whole grain foods such as brown rice and whole wheat pasta. Another good food for a low fat diet is low calorie, but low fat cheese like low fat mozzarella cheese.
It is important to remember that a low fat diet should not exclude any type of fat from your menu. Even though many people will choose to only eat low fat foods, some type of fat is necessary to be healthy. The bad fats found in red meat and dairy products are almost always found within the fat block, or as a separate block. Any type of fat is going to be healthier than saturated fats.
For example, one of the worst types of fat is called saturated fat. This is found in very fatty meats such as pork and beef. While some people may not mind this type of fat, there are others who feel that eating this kind of fat is dangerous to your health because it raises the bad cholesterol levels in your body, increases your risk of heart disease, and increases the likelihood of your arteries becoming clogged with your own accumulated cholesterol. Unsaturated fats are much better for your health. Other types of fats are good for you and can actually help keep your arteries clean.
Another thing that you must remember about the importance of a low fat diet is that when you go to the grocery store, keep an eye out for butter. It is very easy for manufacturers to use hydrogenated oils when they make canola oil, safflower oil, corn oil, and other similar vegetable oils. All of these are commonly used in foods that are marketed as low fat, but these types of vegetable oils contain more saturated fats than unsaturated fats, even though they claim to be low fat. If you buy food that is labeled as “low fat” but has hydrogenated oils in it, do yourself a favor and throw it out immediately.
You should also make sure to read labels carefully if you want to buy food that is “low fat”. Most of the time, they will have the words “partially hydrogenated” included in their names. These vegetable oils are almost completely made from hydrogenated vegetable oils, which means that they have had part of the vegetable oil removed so that it can be used in place of another nutrient. By purchasing food that is “low fat”, you are increasing your odds of suffering from health problems related to having too much fat in your diet.