Saturday, August 4, 2012

The Skinny on Fats


Fat is a necessary part of our diet - but, How much is too much?

There is no magic number when it comes to fats, but let's get some information on fats and fats in our diet.
Each gram of fat is 9 calories - no matter what kind of fat it is.
We get fats in our diets and our bodies makes it's own fat from extra calories.
Limiting our consumption of fats to 20% - 35% is recommended by the Mayo Clinic for a healthy diet.

GOOD FATS
BAD FATS
    • Aids in the absorption of Vitamins A, E, S, and K.
    • Prevents fatty acid deficiency.
    • Aids in the production of endorphins.
    • Aids in the transmission of nerve impulses.
    • Aids in many other functions of the body.
    • Clogs arteries.
    • Raises blood pressure.
    • Causes obesity.
    • Causes heart disease.
    • Aids in the development of many health problems.
MONOUNSATURATED FAT & POLYUNSATURATED FAT
SATURATED FAT & TRANSFAT
Fatty fish such as salmon, herring, sardines and trout
Flax seed, walnuts, almonds, cashews, peanuts, pecans, pistachios
Canola oil, corn oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, peanut oil
Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds
Avocado
Peanut butter, almond butter
liquid or tub (transfat-free) margarine
Beef, pork, lamb, poultry skin, dark meat from poultry
Cheese, butter, lard, whole milk, 2% milk, cream cheese, cream, sour cream, ice cream
Coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, cocoa butter, stick margarine, some tub margarines
Fried foods
Most commercially prepared foods contain partially hydrogenated oils including crackers, cookies, pastries, microwave popcorn, snack food
These fats can occur naturally but are mostly foods from animals.

*A note about nutritional labels on foods - if there is less that 0.5 grams, the law allows the manufacturers to say that there are 0 grams.  This means that if you eat multiple servings or many foods that contain 0.5, you may exceed your limits without knowing it.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

A HEALTHY SNACK FOR KIDS!


Del Monte's Squeezable Fruits are a great snack for kids and adults alike.  

One 2 ounce tube is 60 calories.
100% of daily Vitamin C!

Fat-free and gluten free!

No high fructose corn syrup!

Provides one serving of fruit!

This snack is great for lunch boxes and on the go snacks instead of cookies or chips.  

You can also mix it with yogurt or use it as a topping for ice cream instead of high calorie toppings!!

The label states that it is 100% American grown fruit - which is probably GMO (genetically modified organism) but I could not find any information as to whether it is or it isn't.  

The label does state that the fruit purees are make from concentrate.

All in all, I feel that this is a great snack!!