It’s your dream come true! Eat fats! You can eat a whole cheesecake and instantly be fit! No — I’m sorry that isn’t exactly what I meant.
With the growing popularity of being healthy and fit, a lot of people have adopted the I must eat zero fat or I will be nothing but a walking blob of fat mentality, which is simply not true. But in case you still have a fear of eating fats, you may want to keep reading.
The Three Building Blocks
The body needs three macronutrients in order to function, and to do anything that requires exerting any energy whatsoever. These macronutrients are carbs, protein, and the ever-feared fat. Here are a few reasons how eating healthy fats can actually improve your health and fitness levels.
You Could Lose Muscle
Fats are super important energy sources once your body has used up its carbohydrate stores. If you are working hard in the gym to get fit, and you are not eating fats, chances are your body is breaking down your hard earned muscle in order to provide itself with the energy to keep working.
You will feel fuller
Do you ever eat a meal and then feel the hungry almost immediately afterwards? If so, you may not be incorporating enough healthy fats into your meals in order to keep you full. Fats are incredibly satiating, and can keep you full for much longer after a meal. It’s less likely to reach for the snack drawer after having eggs and avocado toast for breakfast.
You’ll Help Promote a Healthy Heart
While eating an abundance of saturated fats, such as those in bacon, can harm your heart in the long term, eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, walnuts, and spinach can reduce your risk of heart disease and hypertension. Having a healthy working heart is essential for optimal workout performance.
You’ll Get Your Daily Vitamins & Minerals, Naturally.
Fats can help your body absorb and use vitamins such as vitamin A to promote healthy skin and vitamin D to promote strong bones. Strong bones can reduce your risk of injuries like stress fractures from physical activity.
You’ll Have Less Inflammation
Joint pain can stunt your workout. What’s worse, continuous activity could lead to injury. The fats from sources like fatty fish and olive oil will help you run and lift without having to worry about pain from inflammation.
Slowing the Release of Sugar into Your Bloodstream
Eating carbs is essential for pre and post workout snacking. However, eating a lot of carbs at once can spike your blood sugar. Eating fats with your carb source can slow down the rate of digestion, and keep blood sugar levels in check. Try having toast topped with avocado or peanut butter.
Let’s Face the Facts: Fats are Delicious.
If you have ever eaten peanut butter with a spoon straight out of the jar, you know what I am talking about. So why not start improving your health and fitness performance now, with a little fat on your plate?