Low Fat Diets
Low fat diets are not only one of the most popular diets available; they are also a great way to lower the risk of certain diseases such as heart disease. Eating a low fat diet can be quite simple if you keep in mind the specific foods that should be eaten and those that shouldn’t. Here are some of the highlights of a low fat diet.
There are three basic types of foods, carbohydrates which are sugars, protein which is mainly found in meat and fat which is found in oils, butters, certain types of meat and in some cases vegetables such as beans. Fat alone is not bad for you; however consuming specific types of fats in large quantities can cause increase your risk of heart disease which is a major cause of death in this country and around the world.
If you want to lose weight and also avoid many risks of heart disease, a low fat diet can be just the thing. Here are some of the main points of eating a low fat diet.
Foods you should eat when on a Low Fat Diet
Lean Meats-Meat can be eaten when practicing a low fat diet, however make sure it is low in fat. Lean meats such as poultry and fish are usually rated the best. They generally have less fat and are also lower in calories compared to other types of meat.
Fruits and Vegetables- Fruits and vegetables are excellent foods to eat when on a low fat diet. Most fruits and vegetables have little or no fat content. They are not only low in calories, but also offer a wide variety of vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy diet.
Cereals and Grains- Cereals and grains such as rice, pasta and bread are also low in fat and while they are mostly made from carbohydrates, you should eat a variety of cereals and grains each day.
Foods to Avoid
Red Meat- certain types of meat should be avoided- especially those with high fat content. Some meats to avoid include red meat (hamburger, steak, etc) bacon and many other pork products.
Milk & Butter- while milk can be a great way to receive vitamin D, it also can contain lots of fat. Choose to drink low fat or even no fat milk. Butter is mainly largely fat, so you should avoid it. Today, there are many butter substitutes that taste similar to butter, but do not have as much calories or cholesterol.
Oils- for many people that cook, it is important for them to cook with oil. Oil in moderation can be helpful, however make sure you stay away from lard (made from animal fat) and use oils made with mono-saturated fat (a less complex fat that doesn’t result in raising one’s cholesterol). Olive oil is perhaps the best type of oil to use since it is low in cholesterol and is categorized as mono-saturated.
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