subject: Eating Fat To Burn Fat [print this page] It may seem counter-intuitive, but eating fat can actually allow your body to burn fat! It seems like this could not possibly true. First of all, the word "fat" sounds bad no matter what. Secondly, doesn't fat contain far more calories per gram than either carbohydrate or protein?
These ideas, combined with the anti-fat crusade that started in the 1980's (and is still believed by many today), are actually having a negative effect on people's health.
Dietary fat does not equal the storage of fat on the body! In fact, studies have shown that diets higher in fat actually produce more weight loss in subjects over more traditional high-carbohydrate, low fat diets.
So how does eating fat help with losing body fat?
1. Dietary fat, tells your brain that you are full, and it's time to stop eating. Carbohydrates fail to do this for the most part- especially if they are lacking fiber. You can continue eating many carbs for as long as you want, and the part of your brain which tells you you're full will not be activated. Some foods, in fact, like sugar, will actually stimulate more hunger!
2. The fat that you consume also burns much slower than carbohydrates. This results in staying full for longer (as mentioned above), and having longer lasting energy levels. This eliminates the need to eat as many calories as with low-fat, high-carb diets, which rely much more on will power and exercise regimens than do low carb diets.
3. Omega 3 fats help you burn more fat. Studies have proven that eating omega-3 fats- mostly found in the oils of fish- help people to burn more fat by lowering insulin levels. High levels of insulin make it less likely that your body will use stored fat as a fuel source.
Lastly, fat tastes good! I know that traditionally, people believe that if something tastes good it must be bad for you. But, outside of trans fats, replacing carbohydrates with tasty fats in your diet, like almonds, avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, etc. will allow you to burn more fat- and get down to your optimal weight.
