{"id":25489,"date":"2013-11-18T16:13:53","date_gmt":"2013-11-18T14:13:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/2013\/11\/is-it-possible-to-lose-fat-by-eating-fat\/"},"modified":"2013-11-18T16:13:53","modified_gmt":"2013-11-18T14:13:53","slug":"is-it-possible-to-lose-fat-by-eating-fat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/is-it-possible-to-lose-fat-by-eating-fat\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it possible to lose fat by eating fat?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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It may be hard to believe, but the answer is \u2018yes\u2019! We\u2019ve been made to believe that a high carbohydrate (60% of daily calorie intake), low fat (15%) and moderate protein (25%) diet is the way to stay healthy and slim. Clearly this is an outdated belief, since the world\u2019s nations are eating less fat than they ever used to, but are experiencing greater incidences of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other lifestyle diseases. Let\u2019s take a look at the best way to achieve ideal body weight and wellness:<\/p>\n

The role of carbohydrates<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of the three macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats), carbohydrates are the only one able to alter blood sugar. This is because their starches break down very quickly into sugars in the body and are available to be used as an immediate energy source.<\/p>\n

A few hundred years ago we were far more physically active through our day and our choice of carbohydrate would probably have been an unprocessed whole grain.<\/p>\n

However, these days we\u2019re a pretty sedentary species and our carbohydrate choice tends to be one of convenience and thus a processed one (e.g. supermarket bread, juices, crackers, muffins, crisps etc.).<\/p>\n

These processed carbohydrates are broken down much more rapidly into sugar than their wholegrain counterparts, playing havoc with blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n

When blood sugar becomes high, insulin is released, resulting in a signal to various cells to \u2018open\u2019 to receive the excess glucose.<\/p>\n

Your muscle cells and liver are probably already topped up with fuel from your previous meal (except if you have exercised at a relatively high intensity since then), so the cells most likely to take this excess fuel are the fat cells, converting the glucose into fat very swiftly.<\/p>\n

So, every time you eat a meal that\u2019s high in processed carbohydrates, you\u2019re setting yourself up for body fat storage.<\/p>\n

Not only that, but high sugar-release carbohydrates also result in a release of serotonin (our \u2018feel-good\u2019 hormone), but they don\u2019t supply adequate fuel because they are \u2018burnt up\u2019 so quickly.<\/p>\n

Our brain\u2019s subsequent cry for more fuel is ironically perceived as a need for more carbohydrates (due to the resulting seratonin release) and so \u2013 when we respond with carbohydrates \u2013 we perpetuate a vicious cycle.<\/p>\n

How proteins and fats can help<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Is<\/p>\n

Is it possible to lose fat by eating fat?<\/p>\n

Because people have been advised to consume low levels of fats, and have been made to fear certain proteins (e.g. animal meats) these foods tend to be overlooked when the choice is made for a healthy meal\/snack.<\/p>\n

Proteins and fats actually control blood sugar levels very effectively by \u2018dampening\u2019 the rising blood sugar. This is a concept that many struggle to understand and thanks to decades of mainstream media influence and resulting social perception there is a misconception that dietary fat causes body fat storage.<\/p>\n

Certain fats and proteins should be avoided at all costs, such as trans fatty acids and hydrogenated fats (both found in processed and fried foods), as well as processed meats, non-fermented soya products or meats from intensively farmed and medicated animals.<\/p>\n

However, other fats and proteins are extremely beneficial to health. With regard to fats, these would include organic animal fats like butter or cream (raw, as opposed to pasteurized) and the fat on naturally-raised, grass fed animals (or grub fed, in the case of chickens). Also, cold-pressed plant oils (olive, flax, sunflower, hemp, avocado, nut oils etc.) as well as tropical oil like coconut fat. In the case of proteins, they would include raw nuts and seeds, naturally-raised (and fed) animal meats (this includes fish) and dairy products such as cheese (again, raw, versus pasteurized).<\/p>\n

As mentioned, when you consume a meal or snack that consists of protein, fat and carbohydrate, the proteins and fats act to suppress the potential blood sugar spike, ensuring that you don\u2019t produce the high insulin levels that lead to fat storage or sugar cravings.<\/p>\n

The best way to stay lean and healthy is to avoid or eliminate altogether any processed carbohydrate from your diet and to eat some form of good-quality protein and fat with every meal (or snack).<\/p>\n

In addition to the beneficial weight changes you may notice, you should start to see a big difference in emotional stability, increased energy and a reduction in sweet cravings.<\/p>\n

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