We examine real-life health issues in our series, Vital Signs, and in this edition - saturated fats. We鈥檝e long been told eating less of it prevents heart disease. But a study out this month in the journal BMJ (formerly British Medical Journal) says it鈥檚 not that simple. Caroline Susie, a registered dietitian with Methodist Health System, explains.
Highlights from Caroline Susie鈥檚 interview:
What the study found: If you take out saturated fat, and replace it with something else that it not so good for you, like sugars, carbohydrates 鈥� think bagels, donuts 鈥� you鈥檙e still doing damage to your body. (Sam: So it鈥檚 not enough just to cut saturated fat. If you鈥檙e really trying to eat healthy, you have to follow all the way through?) What types of food you鈥檙e eating all day long.
Are all saturated fats bad for you: If your diet is high in saturated fat all day long, then yes. But if you鈥檙e incorporating a few saturated fats throughout the day, then actually no. Eggs, complete protein. They鈥檙e going to help keep you fuller, longer. Salmon, we know, is wonderful for you. Salmon, a couple of times a week, is going to keep you mentally sharp. And those omega-3 (fatty acids) have been shown to protect against heart disease and stroke. So it鈥檚 looking at the types of fat you鈥檙e eating, choosing a variety of fats, and balancing that out.
Good types of fat: You hear them a lot as 鈥渕ufas鈥� and 鈥減ufas,鈥� the monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Almonds, walnuts, salmon or other oily fish like tuna, mackerel, sardines even. Also avocados. But a fat, whether it鈥檚 good for you or bad for you, it鈥檚 still high in calories. So want to really be mindful fo your portions.
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