My HEALTH Kick
As a Health Coach and advocate for a healthy lifestyle for all, I would love to share with our community tips and information that could help you in your health journey.
My name is Wendy Hood and for the past 17 years, I have been serving people by helping them understand which foods are healthy, as well as, which fitness activities help us to achieve results.
Today’s topic is Dietary fats: are they good or bad?
Both. You see, not all fats are created equal.
THE SKINNY ON
FATS
Heavily processed, hydrogenated “trans” fats used in prepared, packaged foods can be extremely damaging to the body. They can compromise the cardiovascular system and the immune system. They can also contribute to behavior problems. In addition, they can lead to weight gain, skin breakouts, high blood pressure, and liver strain.
That said, our bodies need fat for insulation, vitamin and mineral absorption, and to protect our organs. Highquality fats can steady our metabolism, keep hormone levels even, nourish our skin, hair, and nails, and provide lubrication to keep the body functioning fluidly.
Where to Find Healthy Fats:
Avocados, olives, and coconuts are great sources of healthy fat, along with wild salmon and omega3-rich organic eggs.
Whole nuts and seeds, and their butters like almond butter or tahini.
Look for the highestquality organic oils when shopping. Words to look for: organic, first pressed, cold-pressed, extra-virgin, and unrefined. Avoid expeller-pressed, refined, and solvent extracted.
How to Use Healthy Fats:
For cooking at high temperatures (stir-frying and baking), try butter, ghee (clarified butter), or coconut oil.
When sautéing foods, try organic extra virgin olive oil.
Oils like flaxseed, sesame, toasted sesame, walnut, and pumpkin seed are best used unheated in sauces or dressings.
Try this delicious, easy recipe:
AVOCADO DIP
Prep Time: 3 minutes — Makes 1 cup
One large peeled and pitted avocado
2/3 cup plain yogurt, goat yogurt, coconut yogurt, or almond yogurt
One diced tomato A squirt of lemon or lime juice
Dash or two of cayenne pepper
Sea salt and black pepper
Mash avocado with a fork until very smooth.
Add yogurt, tomato, and cayenne. Blend until smooth. This may be done in a food Processor, in a blender, or with a fork.
Add sea salt and fresh black pepper to taste.
Serve chilled with mixed raw vegetables.
Tip: Best made a maximum of 1 hour before serving.
GET EVEN HEALTHIER!
Want help learning how to choose and use nutritious fats and other good-for-you foods? Curious about how health coaching can help you make your own healthy changes? Let’s talk! Schedule an initial complimentary consultation with me today — or pass this offer on to someone you care about!
Another opportunity that I invite all people to is an Online Free 14-day Weight Loss Challenge. Why do I do this? It’s simple. Because when you know what you know and you can help many people live a healthy lifestyle simply through food and movement, it is fun to share and see lives changed.