Convincing my grandparents that not all fats are evil is like trying to explain why boba tea isn’t a food group.
The general perception that “fat is bad” is deeply ingrained, especially in older generations. This idea gained traction in the 1960s when low-fat diets became all the rage. But we actually need fats to function normally!
Here’s the scoop on fats that might help you win those heated dinner table debates:
- Butter isn’t the villain it’s made out to be. It’s packed with fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), contains gut-friendly butyrate, and even has conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which might help with fat loss. I cooked everything with lots of butter!
- Animal fats are actually good for you! They’re loaded with omega-3s (brain food!), essential vitamins, and help your body absorb nutrients better. Tell Grandpa his pork belly might be doing him some favors!
- Olive and avocado oils are like liquid gold for your heart. They help lower bad cholesterol and are packed with antioxidants.
- Not all fats are created equal. Vegetable and seed oils (like canola and soybean) can cause inflammation when consumed excessively. These are often hiding in processed foods – check those labels! Maybe we can convince Grandma to swap her cooking oil?
- Processed meat fats are harmful. They contain additives that can form harmful compounds when cooked at high temperatures.
- Cheese is tricky. While it’s delicious, too much can contribute to inflammation. It gives me acne outbreaks. Moderation is key here.
So next time your grandparents insist on skipping the avocado or removing the egg yolk, hit them with these facts. Who knows? Just don’t expect them to give up their traditional cooking methods overnight – that’s a battle for another day!
So next time your grandparents insist on skipping the avocado or removing the egg yolk, hit them with these facts. Who knows? Just don’t expect them to give up their traditional cooking methods overnight – that’s a battle for another day!