WIAW: Make Friends with Fat

 

Hi my name is New England and I have weather-induced bi-polar disorder.

 

Although not pictured, Monday was pushing 80 and tomorrow is pushing snow. New England, let go of Winter. She’s no good for you anyways.

I’m back with a vengeance for WIAW, and felt inspired by Robyn’s take on it to provide a little nugget of nutrition while we’re at it. Because I can’t just take pictures of my food like a normal person..

If you took a gander at today’s title you should first know that I am not calling any of my wonderful (human) friends fat. That is far from true and is just uncalled for anyways. I am here to tell you that fats are you’re friends.

“Fats are friends. AND food.”

-Emily Cooper

My usual breakfast of oats topped with pb and cinnamon, with “orange smiles” and breakfast tea. Orange smiles > Orange slices.

I always start my morning with a a balanced meal of carbs, some protein, and a good source of fat. Usually in the form of eggs or my favorite peanut buttah. You see fat keeps you full since it is more “energy dense” than protein or carbs. This keeps the tank full until lunch, besides the apple I had mid-morning.

Holy plate of green Batman! Yes, I had a side salad with my garden salad simply because it was Caesar salad and croutons are delicious. And a good dump of broccoli for good measure.

Fats are also important for absorbing nutrients like vitamins and minerals in your food. This is why if you eat a salad, you should top it with some fat like olive oil, a oil-based dressing, or some chopped nuts. This actually makes a salad healthier since your body is absorbing more of those vitamins in the process.

And a peach Chobani with un-pictured apple for my sweet teeth. Not tooth, teeth.

And then I had a nutritional epiphany. All my blood work came back normal, so my orange hue is not hepatitis or other liver-related issue (big shocker). I did however have a big DUH! *slap forehead here moment when it came to my beloved snack of all time. 2 carrots and a good deal of pb and chamomile tea for afternoon pick me up.

So you know that little factoid about fats helping absorb nutrients? This is mostly for your fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E, and K) and guess what carrots have?! Beta-carotene, aka a precursor to vitamin A.

I think I created a deadly combo for storing all that beta carotene when combining carrots with peanut butter. Like duh, every Dietitian should know that! We all are forever learning folks. Except I still haven’t learned how to lay low on the orange. Celery is just so…how do I say it nicely…disgusting. I tried.

A balance of fats is also important for preventing disease and cancer. I’m sure you have heard of Omega 3’s and Omega-6. I won’t go into much but know that we are more deficient in Omega 3’s (fatty fish, walnuts, flax seeds, avocados) and eat way too much Omega 6 (vegetable oils, peanut butter, eggs).

Adding more Omega 3’s to the diet helps balance out the ratio of fats in to the diet and thus help prevent heart disease, breast cancer, RA and countless other ailments. Not to mention shine your hair, soften your skin, and clear your complexion. Remind me why fats are bad again?

Dinner was a bed of kale topped with teriyaki salmon, spaghetti squash, and avocado hummus. AKA Emily’s kitchen sink salad.

And look! A pictured apple! I think I take this whole “apple a day” thing to the extreme a little…

And a pumpkin oat muffin topped with coconut oil (still trying to like this) and another cup of chamomile to sooth the soul while listening to the rain.

I’ll take the rain over snow any day. Rain on the roof rocks me to sleep, while snow on the roof makes me pray it won’t cave in.

So you see, fats are your friends. They don’t make you fat. It’s the type of fats you eat that make the difference. Natural sources like nuts, seeds, fish, avocados are beneficial to your health and may actually help you manage your weight.

It’s those sugary nutrition-lacking foods like chips, candy, and deep fried twinkies that give fats a bad rep. You can pick your fats. And you can pick your friends. But you CAN’T pick your friends nose. What did I get that right?

[Tweet “Why you should be making friends with fat #WIAW”]

Thanks Jenn for hosting! Make it a great day!

How do you feel about fats?

What’s one great thing you ate yesterday?