Spiritual and Physical Wellness
Should You Monitor Your Saturated Fat Intake?
In my last blog I wrote about healthcare professionals disagreeing on what consisted of a healthy diet. We can add the consumption of saturated fat to the list of items that do not have a consensus regarding the consumption of it. We were once told to avoid saturated fat because it causes heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Then researchers said it is okay to consume saturated fat in moderation.
What is saturated fat? I do not want to give the molecular breakdown definition of saturated fat. The simple description for saturated fat is that it is found in animal products and oils including coconut and palm. Saturated fat occurs naturally in foods. Foods with the highest concentration of saturated fat include dairy, butter, cheese, creams, lamb, pork, and beef.
Saturated fat is different from trans fats. There is a consensus that trans fats are unhealthy. The belief is that trans fats increase the risk of heart disease. Trans fats raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and decreases HDL (good) cholesterol levels. You should avoid consuming trans fats. Read the labels for the food you purchase to see if it includes trans fats.
The American Heart Association recommends that you do not consume more than 5% to 6% of your calories from saturated fat. They give the example of 2,000 calories per day. If you consume 2,000 calories per day only 120 calories should come from saturated fat. That comes to 13 grams per day. Some healthcare professionals believe you can consume more grams per day. I have seen 22 grams based on consuming 2,000 calories per day.
Monitoring your saturated fat intake will take some effort. You can research how many grams of saturated fat is contained in the food you consume. For instance, one chicken egg has 1.6 grams of saturated fat, 1 cup of 1% milk contains 1.5 grams, 3 oz. of lean beef contains 5 grams, and 1 pat of butter contains 2.5 grams. Baked goods and fried foods contain high levels of saturated fat.
Our bodies need fat to function at an optimal level; however, we should avoid consuming more than our bodies need to function. In the past, we were told that fat makes you fat. Now we are learning that is not necessarily true. Consumed in moderation saturated fat can be part of a healthy diet.
Filed under:
Uncategorized
-
Advertisement:
-
Advertisement:
-
Welcome to ChicagoNow.
-
Meet The Blogger
Sheri McIntosh
I have been interested in preventive medicine since my childhood. In the 70s, my aunt would take me with her to meet with a doctor who emphasized preventive medicine. A lot of the things that doctor discussed then has become standard today.
-
Subscribe by Email
Completely spam free, opt out any time.
Latest on ChicagoNow
-
Lead, chance to upset No. 17 Murray State vanish in 2nd half for EIU Panthers
from Prairie State Pigskin by Barry Bottino
posted today at 8:55 pm -
Should You Monitor Your Saturated Fat Intake?
from Spiritual and Physical Wellness by Sheri McIntosh
posted today at 7:57 pm -
How to make the easiest, most mouthwatering macaroons ever for Passover or Easter
from Sugar Buzz Chicago by Judy Marcus
posted today at 12:26 pm -
What Kids from a Different Culture Can Teach You About LOVE
from Go Do Good! by citizen john q public
posted today at 1:02 am -
Chicago Week in Beer, March 28-April 1
from The Beeronaut by Mark McDermott
posted today at 12:16 am
Posts from related blogs
-
I’ve Got The Hippy Shakes
Most recent post: Stairway to Heaven is still legendary but what about the rest of Led Zeppelin IV fifty years later?
-
Improv Class For The Soul
Most recent post: CHOOSE PROGRESS
-
Say What?
Most recent post: When Is It Time To Replace Hearing Aids?
More from Lifestyle: Wellness
Read these ChicagoNow blogs
-
Cubs Den
-
Pets in need of homes
Pets available for adoption in the Chicago area -
Hammervision
It’s like the couch potato version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
Read these ChicagoNow Bloggers
-
Candace Jordan
from Candid Candace: -
Dennis Byrne
-
LeaGrover
from Becoming SuperMommy:
- About ChicagoNow
- •
- FAQs
- •
- Advertise
- •
- Recent posts RSS
- •
- Privacy policy (Updated)
- •
- Comment policy
- •
- Terms of service
- •
- Chicago Tribune Archives
- •
- Do not sell my personal info
©2021 CTMG – A Chicago Tribune website –
Crafted by the News Apps team