When you are trying to lose weight, it is vital that you are familiar with what you should be consuming. How many of us are aware of good and bad fats and what foods they are in. How many of us really understand carbohydrates and which are the good carbs and which are the bad carbs. If you educate yourself in these areas, you will be amazed at just how well you will be able to control your weight.

Fats and carbohydrates are two of the main building blocks of a healthy diet, but many people do not understand their role in proper nutrition and which ones are which. While the daily intake of fats and oils should be limited, these elements are still a very important part of the diet. The key is to make smart and educated choices when it comes to fats and oils. That means substituting saturated fats with unsaturated fats, and using healthier, lighter oils in cooking.

Let’s look at the role fats and oils play in the diet. Fats are necessary for supplying energy to the body.In addition, fats supply essential fatty acids and act as carriers for fat soluble vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K and the carotenoids.In addition, fats have an important role to play as building blocks for various tissues and membranes, and they also play a key role in regulating numerous bodily functions.

Dietary fat is available from a variety of plant and animal sources, and most diets do contain adequate amounts of fat.Most nutrition experts recommend keeping the intake of fat to less than 20% of calories, but studies have shown that severely limiting fat intake can be dangerous.Extreme low fat diets should only be undertaking with a doctor’s approval and oversight.

The type and amount of fat in the diet makes all the difference. A diet high in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol has been associated with a variety of illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other associated dangerous diseases.In addition, many long term chronic problems, such as obesity, are associated with high levels of dietary fats.

The greatest risk of complications from excessive fat intake appears to lie with saturated fats and trans fats (fats that are solid at room temperature). One of the best ways to keep levels of saturated fat low is to limit the amount of animal fats that are consumed.These animal based fats include meats like bacon and sausage, as well as butter and ice cream. Dietary cholesterol can be limited by watching the consumption of eggs, organ meats and other foods high in cholesterol. Did you know that in Denmark, retailers will not sell food to consumers with more than 2 percent trans fats in them?

Food labels do make the complicated process of choosing the right fats somewhat easier. For instance, trans fats will be listed on the ingredient list of foods that contain them. In general, trans fats are found mainly in processed foods and you want to avoid them or limit them.

Some fats, such discount viagra online as polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats, are better choices for healthy eating. Examples of these fats include canola oil and olive oil. Cooking with these lighter oils can be a big step toward a healthier diet. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature, and they have been found Tadacip to have heart protecting qualities.

Many types of fish have also been found to be sources of good fat. Fish are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.These omega-3’s have been found to promote good health, and they may even lower cholesterol levels. Hence, olives, olive oil, avocados, seeds and walnuts will really help give you a good supply of these good fats but keep the serve sizes small as although good for you, are still fattening.

Carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet as well, and carbs are necessary for providing energy and many essential nutrients.Carbohydrates are found in fruits and vegetables, in grains and in milk and dairy products.It is important to choose carbohydrates carefully, however, since not all are equally healthy.

When choosing breads and cereal, for instance, try to select those made with whole grains, while avoiding the more highly refined varieties.It is also important to limit the intake of sugars, such as soda, candy and highly processed baked goods.Consuming Levitra large amounts of such high calorie, low nutrient foods, can make it very difficult to stay on a healthy diet without gaining weight. Avoid foods high in carbohydrates, like white bread, white rice, white flour and potatoes.

Most Americans tend to have too much of certain elements in their diet. Sugar is one such element and salt is the other. While a basic level of sodium in the form of salt is important to proper nutrition, most people consume too much salt in their daily diet. Excess salt consumption can lead to water retention, high blood pressure and other complications. Choosing low sodium foods, and limiting the use of the salt shaker, can go a long way toward cutting levels of excess salt in the diet.

Author Bio: Joanne McMahon is a writer and a health and wellness consultant in Australia currently working with many people to change their lives through healthy eating

http://www.weightlosssecret.info

Category: Health/Nutrition
Keywords: fats,carbs,weight loss,diet,nutrition