Good Morning!!
Today, I’d like to touch on a topic that’s been a bit misunderstood: saturated fats.
You know how highly I value the role of protein in our nutrition – it’s crucial to address the concerns surrounding animal proteins, particularly from red meat, eggs and full fat dairy, due to their saturated fat content.
It’s disappointing to see these nutrient-rich foods often sidelined because of outdated views on dietary fats.
Recent dietary guidelines have leaned towards recommending a low-fat diet, advising to limit saturated fat intake to less than 10% of our total calorie intake, mainly due to concerns over heart health. However, it’s important to highlight that not all saturated fats are problematic.
Research (article link below) has shown that the impact of saturated fats on our health largely depends on the context of the whole food they come from.
Interestingly, foods traditionally viewed as “high in saturated fat,” like whole-fat dairy, eggs and unprocessed meats (ex: grass fed beef), are not the main culprits in the average American diet. In fact, these natural sources of saturated fats are not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes, contrary to what many of us have been led to believe.
The real issue lies with the saturated fats found in ultra-processed foods (ex: processed meats like pepperoni, sausage, some deli meats), which dominate much of the standard American diet. This distinction is critical and often overlooked in general discussions about saturated fats and health.
So, while it’s not a green light to consume saturated fats without consideration, it’s worth recognizing the value of whole, unprocessed animal proteins. These foods not only offer high-quality protein and essential nutrients but also come with saturated fats in a form that’s not harmful to our health.
It’s important to approach our nutrition with more nuanced understanding so that we make choices from an empowered place. One reason I share these each week 😊
Here is a link to the article (2-3 mins read):
https://www.jacc.org/doi/abs/10.1016/j.jacc.2020.05.077
As always – I’m here for questions!
Set your intentions for the week ahead – how do you want to take care of you?
xoxo
Alix