What Are Fats? The Essential Guide to Healthy Eating
In the world of nutrition, fats often get a bad reputation. However, they are a crucial macronutrient—not just a significant source of energy but also vital for cell health, hormone production, and the absorption of essential vitamins. Understanding the types of fats and their effects on our bodies can help you make better dietary choices through our healthy meals delivered across the UK.
Understanding Fats and Their Benefits
Fats are classified into saturated, unsaturated fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats), and trans fats. Knowing these differences can guide your decisions when choosing suitable weight-loss meals or planning for busy weeknights.
The Good Fats: Essential for Health
- Monounsaturated Fats: These heart-healthy fats are in olive oil, avocados, and nuts. For example, avocados contain about 15g of monounsaturated fats per 100g, contributing around 160 calories. Including these in your meal prep delivery ensures a balanced diet that supports your health goals.
- Polyunsaturated Fats: These include essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are found in fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts. Salmon, for instance, contains roughly 13g of polyunsaturated fats per 100g, supporting brain health and reducing heart disease risk. Our healthy food delivery service offers meals rich in these beneficial fats, ideal for maintaining a balanced diet even on busy weeknights.
The Bad Fats: What to Avoid
- Saturated Fats: Found in dairy products and certain oils, excessive intake can raise bad cholesterol and increase heart disease risk. Butter, for example, contains about 51g of saturated fat per 100g. Our meals are designed to minimise saturated fat intake while still providing delicious options.
- Trans Fats: These are the most harmful, found in processed foods, and negatively affect cholesterol levels and heart health. Reducing or eliminating trans fats is critical, so our weight loss meals focus on including only the healthiest fats to help you lose weight and maintain overall wellness.
Caloric Content and Nutritional Impact
Fats are the most calorie-dense macronutrient, providing nine calories per gram. Understanding this is crucial when managing energy balance through meal prep.
- Eggs: A large egg contains about 5g of fat and 70 calories and is a good source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Add Steak and Egg Muffins to your breakfast for a balanced start to your day.
- Avocado: High in monounsaturated fats, a 100g serving has around 160 calories, which benefits heart health.
- Salmon: This fish offers significant omega-3 fatty acids, with about 208 calories per 100g, promoting heart and brain health. Our meal prep Middlesbrough service includes options like salmon to ensure you get these essential fats.
Incorporating Healthy Fats with Macro Based Diet
Choosing the right fats is essential for your health. At Macro Based Diet, we focus on providing meals rich in healthy fats through our healthy meal prep delivery service. Including ingredients like fish, avocado, nuts, and olive oil in our meal prep offerings, we help you maintain a balanced diet without excessive calorie intake.
Conclusion: Balance and Moderation with Fats
Fats are vital for our health, but choosing the suitable types and balancing your intake is critical. By focusing on healthy fats and being mindful of calories, you can support your health and fitness goals. At Macro Based Diet, our weight loss meals and meal prep services are designed to provide balanced, nutritious meals that help you enjoy delicious food while supporting your well-being.