2 biggest lies you've been told about fat

Were you aware that eating fat is actually good for you?

Dr Mark Hyman, author of Eat Fat, Get Thin talks about two of the biggest misconceptions about fat that have dominated popular culture.

He explains that these two ideas aren't even supported by science anymore, and eating fat is actually good for you.

Lie #1: If you eat fat, you get fat

"When you eat fat, it actually causes fat burning and helps you lose weight. It's paradoxical, but it's actually how the body works," tells Huffington Post.

So where did the myth about fat come from?

Dr Hyman reveals that the idea that fat is bad was caused by government dietary guidelines shown in a food pyramid that was introduced in 1992.

PHOTO: HUFFINGTONPOST

The food pyramid illustrated that you should eat six to 11 servings a day of pasta, rice, bread and cereal, while you should only have oil, fats and sweets 'sparingly.'

Therefore, the dietary guideline actually caused a huge increase in obesity and diabetes.

The food industry, adhering to the guideline, began to produce fat-free foods such as low fat yogurt.

While Dr Hyman explains that eating fat is not what makes you fat, "You really want to be careful about the types of fat you eat. Not all fats are equal," he warns.

Fats to avoid are trans-fats and hydrogenated fats. The government has ruled that these fats are not safe to eat.

If you see a product that says soy bean oil, plant oils, or other oils, "I would generally put those back on the shelf," advises Dr Hyman.

On the other hand, if a product says coconut oil or grass-fed butter, that's okay.

The problem doesn't lie with eating fat. What we should actually avoid eating, Dr Hyman explains, is refined carbohydrates and sugar. Doing so will help avoid many diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and even dementia.



Lie #2: Fat causes heart disease

When people eat less fat, they tend to eat more starch or sugar instead, and this actually increases their levels of cholesterol that causes heart attacks, writes Dr Hyman on mindbodygreen.

"Your brain is actually 60% fat," says Hyman. Easy access to high-quality fat boosts cognition, happiness, learning, and memory.

PHOTO: PLAYBUZZ.COM

"I eat fat with every meal, and I’ve never felt better. The right fats can improve your mood, skin, hair, and nails while protecting you against type 2 diabetes, dementia, cancer, and much more."





The 'Good' fats are: 

Avocados, nuts (excluding peanut seeds), fatty fish, extra virgin olive oil, grass-fed or sustainably raised animal products, saturated fat like extra virgin coconut butter.