Nuts, Oils and Fats That Used To Scare Me

Monday, October 19, 2009

vegan_goodness At the beginning of Weight Watchers, I didn’t realize that Points were not created equally. I feared fats because I thought they were “bad” and definitely did not see the value in spending my Points on these little enemies.

My thinking started to change when I went on a hemp seed kick. My voice teacher had been talking about the benefits of utilizing hemp seeds each day because of their omega 3’s. I started to sprinkle some on my breakfast each morning and while I cringed for the first little while at the Points I was spending on these little guys, I did notice that I started to feel fuller longer after breakfast and I started to see consistent losses on the scale. It was awesome!

Now, I’m not suggesting that all of you run out and buy a tub of hemp hearts, because I don’t think that it was just the hemp hearts. Rather, it was the healthy fats in the hemp hearts that my body needed. We need some healthy fats in our diet, as it is the only way that we can get alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid, both essential fatty acids that provide a number of physiological functions in our bodies.

I’m no longer afraid of fats and use them in a variety of ways in my meals.

  • I try to have at least 2 teaspoons of healthy oil each day, usually in salad dressings, mixed into a smoothie, or drizzled onto toast.
  • I love nuts like almonds, pecans and cashews on their own as a snack, incorporated into raw desserts and treats, or sprinkled onto cereal or salads for extra crunch.
  • I think my favourite healthy fat may come in the form of avocados. I used to look at people who would just eat half an avocado as weird, but I’ve been caught in the kitchen digging into one with a spoon and a smile on more than one occasion. Avocados are also a great source of folate (for heart health) as well as potassium.

Like with anything else, too much fat in your diet is not a good thing. Use high quality sources of fat in moderation. But do not be afraid of the F word'; we need some healthy fat in our diet each day. Your body will thank you for it!

How do you incorporate healthy fats into your meals and snacks?

7 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Daily staples of mine = raw almond butter, avocado, flax oil, extra virgin olive oil, coconut butter... I love my healthy fats.

The Modern Chimera said...

I love avocados!! I use them to replace mayo in sandwiches and wraps, mushed with vinegar for salad dressing, or all on their own! I also love, love, love pumpkin seeds (or, at this time of year, any squash seed). Sometimes I use flax and water to replace eggs and sometimes I put flax meal into my morning smoothies. Nuts and nut butters are great for long-lasting fullness. I also regularly eat fatty fish.

GF Gidget said...

I'm all about the avocado, coconut milk, EVOO, coconut oil.... good times!

Pure2 Raw Twins said...

I love healthy FATS! I eat avocado daily. And some coconut oil, hemp oil, olive oil, nuts (occasionally). Healthy fats are so needed in ones diet... they can actually help you lose bad fat. So YEAH to healthy fats!!!!!! Eat up!

Meg's Gut said...

My healthy fats include olive oil, sunflower seed butter, pumpkin and flax seeds...I think I need more healthy fats, I should really try almond butter.

Ashley Gibson said...

My brain was off when I wrote this post because I didn't mention my LOVE of nut butters!! I think cashew is my fav as of late...

Anonymous said...

Hemp Milk! And olives, lots and lots of olives :)

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