Going for fat-free and low-calorie foods: Is this always the right thing to do?

[Laura1995]

I disagree to some extent. I mean unhealthy fats are the ones we're supposed to avoid, but what about healthy fats? We need those to stay full. When people tell me to choose fat-free foods, I start to wonder how I'm supposed to get enough healthy fats in my diet, which I'm hardly doing now. That's probably why I'm always hungry.

The same goes for low-calorie foods. My dietitian tells me to eat foods that are low in calories, but I always end up going below the recommend caloric intake. As a result, I'm hungry nonstop.

So what do you think?

[maiez]

Don't go completely fat free! Reasons:

"The fats you eat give your body energy that it needs to work properly. During exercise, your body uses calories from carbohydrates you have eaten. But after 20 minutes, exercise then depends on calories from fat to keep you going.

You also need fat to keep your skin and hair healthy. Fat also helps you absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K, the so-called fat-soluble vitamins. Fat also fills your fat cells and insulates your body to help keep you warm.

The fats your body gets from your food gives your body essential fatty acids called linoleic and linolenic acid. They are called "essential" because your body cannot make them itself, or work without them. Your body needs them for brain development, controlling inflammation, and blood clotting." Source: www.nlm.nih.gov/.../000104.htm

[Illusive_Man]

No.
YOU NEED fat.
No fat , no hormones , no hormones is bad.
You NEED cholesterol.

How can you get enough healthy fat?
Vegetables are your friend.

Low calorie food?
Carbohydrates again is your friend.

The modern "health fad" is promising all these miracle cures when the fact is... the only cure is a healthy plant based diet. The human body is DESIGNED to be mainly plant based , early humans ate so much vegetables and fruit we lost our ability to synthesize vitamin C. Easily 70 g of fiber a day for them , we struggle with 10.

I'm still trying to get back to it tho , MUCH easier to eat healthy back in the old country than in the Americas.

[Laura1995]

Are you sure vegetables have fat? I can't wrap my head around that for some reason.
Too much of anything can be bad.

[Illusive_Man]

OF COURRRSE they do!
www.livestrong.com/.../

There's even protein in vegetables , as a matter of fact you don't really need meat if you eat a balanced plant based diet , which is REALLY hard to do in the Americas.

[Laura1995]

I don't eat meat at all.

[Illusive_Man]

HEEYY!
Good on you lady!
GOOD on you!

Lead the CHARGE!

[Drooogie4]

Fat free is usually bad.
It means some chemical measures have been taken to alter is, same with sugar free.
And it's replaced with artificial ingredients, which are much less healthy than consuming the fat (generally).
And yes, some are good. Like avocado oil, even dairy fat if not in large amounts.
And "low calorie" , not always. Healthy over exact calories.
But many healthy foods are also low calorie. Whole grains, fruits and veggies, eggs,
You can have a decent bit of options there.
But definitely don't go fat or sugar free. And be careful trying to select low calorie only. Eat healthy, and shoot for around the calorie limit. If you're a little over, but being good to yourself, it'll result better.

And yeaaah. I'm studying to be a dietitian:)

[aamy811]

I do high (complex) carb, low fat and I think it works. Carbs keep you fuller longer (complex cabs), and you don't really need as much fat as we consume. I make sure to eat a table spoon of nuts a day and 1 avocado a week (at least because I love avocados). Then the rest are carbs I get from fruits, veggie and some oats or wheat/multi grain. But I mainly get my carbs from fruits and veggies, especially because the fiber in them makes you feel full

[Laura1995]

Fruit and vegetables just make me hungrier. I try to get my fiber from other sources.

[aamy811]

GUIs and veggies are really the best. Eem if they make you hungry you should still eat them to make sure your getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need. I've never seen someone get unhealthy by eating tons of leafy greens, and fresh fruits.

[Laura1995]

So how can I keep myself full?

[aamy811]

Well like I said fibrous foods and complex carbs. That's what keeps me full

[Laura1995]

I'll try those :) TY

[Lily-Rose]

i would just suggest making healthier food choices and focusing instead on calories on the nutitional value of the food you are eating. not only will it make your skin glow but it will make the pounds melt away :)

[HeatherJaney]

Nutrient dense is the way to go... This may help:

www.cubebreaker.com/200-calories-looks-like/

[Blondiee2014]

It's not calories that makes you hungry or not hungry.
Carbahydrates fill you up

[Laura1995]

Which ones? I know bread, cereal, and pasta are the bad ones.

[Blondiee2014]

Potatoe fills you up

[Laura1995]

Too starchy though, right?

[Illusive_Man]

YAM is good !
OATS is good!

[Blondiee2014]

@asker then sweet potatoe lmao!
Or quinoa :)

[Lily-Rose]

i dont think specific types of carbohydrates are bad, but rice is good

[Blondiee2014]

As long as it's brown rice, but quinoa is even better than rice

[Ihav2fart]

Get fat from avocados, you need some sort of fat... not all fat is bad.

[Laura1995]

Why do people make it seem like it is then? My dietitian always ramble about how I need protein, fiber, and carbs, but never mentions fat.

[IAmCluelessToo]

As long as you burn it through exercise... Does it really matter what you eat?

[Laura1995]

Yes, it does matter.

[Laura1995]

Too much fat, and you're a walk heart attack.

[IAmCluelessToo]

Search for Furious Pete on YouTube and tell me if it still matters?

[random305]

the body requires fat like almonds fish and other kinds of

[Laura1995]

Yes, that's true. The problem is everyone says it's best to go with fat-free foods. I just found out last year that the body needs fat.

[random305]

oh and good luck stay safe and take care :)

[Laura1995]

Thanks ^_^ You too

[random305]

you wellcome :D

[MakeitOrDieTrying]

"Fat-free" label is a fcking gimmick, it's misunderstood and it's used as a selling point.

[meatballs21]

Moderation of everything is key.

[albundyfan]

Depends, lo cal works for some. Not for me.