Health

Part One: Good Fats vs. Bad Fats and the Importance of Olive Oil

Nutrition experts advise us that a moderate amount of Good Fat consumption plays an important role in eating a healthy diet. It provides our bodies with energy, is essential for healthy hormones, and is necessary for absorbing vitamins. However, this is Good fat and then there is Bad Fat…

Good Fats?

Yes, such a thing exists! These help you feel satisfied after meals and stay fuller longer. The good fats include:

Mono-unsaturated Fat:
Olive oil can help to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Unsaturated fat can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and is the primary fat in olive oil. In fact, due to its high concentration of monounsaturated fat, this is one of the main reasons why olive oil is considered to be healthy.

Polyunsaturated Fat:
Found in pistachios, other tree-nuts, fish, sunflower oil, corn oil and, of course, olive oil. Polyunsaturated fat helps to maintain heart health and lower blood cholesterol levels.Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fat:
Found in fatty fish like salmon or in vegetable oils, omega-3 polyunsaturated fat is truly brain food. It has been proven to promote mental acuity and brain development.

Which are the Bad Fats?

If you care about further improving your health, you should try to avoid the following bad fats:

Saturated Fat:
Found in butter, hard cheeses, whole milk, animal fats, lard, palm oil, and coconut oils. Saturated fats are known to raise blood cholesterol levels, increase the risk of heart disease, and contribute to other health problems. Nutritionists and dietitians strongly recommend that you avoid these fats as much as possible.

Trans Fat:
Typically found in meat, dairy products, margarine, and nearly any food containing the word “hydrogenated” on its label, trans fats can raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

Fat and Olive Oil:
High quality olive oil contains mono-unsaturated fat which has been found to lower Cholesterol and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL). Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the primary source of added fat in the Greek Mediterranean Diet. It contains zero trans (bad) fat and is lower in saturated (bad) fat than other commonly used ingredients such as shortening and butter. Simply put, olive oil is one of the best ways to add good fat to your diet and avoid bad fat. For centuries, Greeks have been using premium olive oil as a replacement for butter and margarine.