FAT: IT’S A GOOD THING
Fat has gotten a bad rap. Calculated false advertising with its campaign of fear and false promises have spawned the low-fat craze that's sweeping across America at warp speed. But has this low-fat craze done anything to improve the size of our waistlines? Are we any less fat or healthier despite the thousands of "low-fat" food products on the market? Certainly not.
The notion of fat being so harmful and terrible for you goes back a long way. No, it wasn't generated by vegetarians or anti-dairy groups. It began quite innocently, with a noble cause. Americans were getting unhealthy and the public needed to know. Hence, the government's effort to save our country from unhealthy drinks and foods began.
To understand how it all started you have to go back a few decades. While there is a great deal of information on the internet, much is convoluted and I hesitate to print it. I will however, reference our trusted resources for your perusal. I can say this however, about the low-fat trickery going on today, "proof is in the pudding." This is evident by the trend line below which clearly details the obesity rate and its increase with the onset of the “low-fat craze."
Lots of misinformation and subterfuge led the “bad fat” campaign crusade and even studies by so-called “authorities” are suspect. Such as the well-known Ancel Keys, "Seven Country Study." One thing is certain: the industrial food industry, brilliant masterminds at mirth, mystery and prestidigitation, took the “fat” ball and ran with it. And did they ever run fast. Thousands of products later, they’ve got most of America actually believing low-fat is the savior, and we've got the junk food industry to thank!
How did they take the fat out and make it taste so good? It didn’t. At least not before adding one of the many weapons in their industrial food arsenal, sugar. Sugar; ubiquitous, and coveted, it's disguised by many different names, over 50 in fact. Sucralose (Splenda), cane juice, caramel, and others you probably don't even recognize. It’s also highly addictive and wreaks havoc on your body. Literally ruining your health.
Sugars and refined carbs such as white flour products turn into fat. Unhealthy fat. The kind that stores in your liver and contributes to diabetes and a host of other "dis-eases."
The addictive ingredients in junk food (there are literally thousands of artificial ingredients in processed foods today) are designed to keep you hungry and craving more. The empty calories provide no nourishment and you’re basically starving to death, even if you’re fat. No, especially if you’re fat.
Did I say FAT? Yep, that’s exactly what happens in your body when you consume sugar or any of the low-fat fare being passed off as "a really good idea and healthy for you too.”
Fat is good for you. Yep, provided it's organic- hey, who wants growth hormones, lots more toxic stuff, antibiotics, or pus in their dairy foods? - eggs, butter and cream, are not the evil demons they'd have you believe.
According to Joseph Mercola M.D., “Cholesterol is not only beneficial for your body, it’s absolutely mandatory. Having too little cholesterol can negatively impact your hormone levels, heart disease risk and your brain health. Reducing your cholesterol may actually increase your risk for cardiovascular disease.”
Eating a traditional diet of whole foods (for most of us, that would be the foods our grandparents ate) leads to a healthier physiology and a better life overall. Your health is your greatest asset. All the time and money in the world mean nothing if you’re too sick to enjoy it.
Next time you see a package of snack food or any food for that matter with a label touting "low-fat," think again. Low-fat just means high in sugar and dozens of other garbage designed to keep you "high in fat, and high on sugar."
Food: The good, the bad, the cleverly disguised...
References:
Saturated Fat Myth- Dr.Mercola
New Science Destroys the Saturated Fat Myth- Dr. Mercola
Rethinking Saturated Fat- Andrew Weil, M.D.
Nourishing Traditions Cookbook- Sally Fallon
The Big Fat Surprise- Nina Teicholz
