Does eating ‘fat’ make you fat?

A common misconception people have is that eating foods containing fat will make them gain weight. The reality is that high fat foods contain more calories per gram than carbohydrates or proteins. However, eating foods containing high amounts of fat does not automatically make you gain weight. Weight gain is a complex process which doesn't happen overnight. You need to be consistently eating more calories than what your body needs in order to put on weight. So, when you break it down you could gain weight by overdoing it on any type of food, whether that food contains high amounts of fat or not. 

When thinking about foods containing fat, it's important to consider the type of fat that is in the food. You are probably familiar with the terms saturated and unsaturated fat. We only want to consume saturated fats in small amounts as they can be detrimental not only to our waistlines, but to our arteries and heart health as well. Foods that are high in saturated fats include animal fats like butter, fatty cuts of meat, full cream dairy products, coconut oil and discretionary items like deep fried foods. Unsaturated fats on the other hand should be consumed daily as they are great additions to your diet. Unsaturated fats include oily fish, avocado, nuts and seeds and olive oil. There is no need to cut out ‘fat’ from your diet if you are concerned about your weight. It's far more important to focus on eating the right types, specifically unsaturated fats. 

If you are still feeling unconvinced our dietitians can provide you with personalised advice and meal plans to suit you and your lifestyle. There's no better time than now to make an appointment! Contact us today to book in 94943790 or http://hardynutrition.com.au/online-booking.html