Fat and Weight Loss – Do you need to eat fat to lose fat?
When it’s time to lose weight, many of us are trained to think “cut back on fat”. In a previous post – What’s the right amount of fat? – I discussed fat soluble vitamins, how much fat you should include in your daily diet, and some healthy fat sources. Now I want to cover one other important contribution fat makes when it comes to losing weight.
One of the beauties of fat is that it helps us to feel full. Fat is often referred to as the “satiety nutrient.” Have you ever eaten a meal that has been non fat or extremely low in fat? If so, then you might know what I mean. That meal typically doesn’t keep you satisfied for very long which leads to eating more food to get satisfaction. This can result in an overall higher calorie intake!
So for your weight loss efforts, it’s important to curb your appetite by including adequate fat sources with your meals and some snacks! Sixty grams of fat per day can add up quickly so you’ll want to make sure you’re making mindful choices.
Being careful you do not restrict your fat intake too low and include healthy fat sources in your diet everyday is just one of many factors that affect weight loss. To drastically increase your success with losing weight and keeping it off you must wade through all the weight loss information available and sort out what works from what doesn’t. Many methods used to lose weight are ineffective and some may even sabotage your weight loss efforts. Sign up for the FREE teleclass The 5 Biggest Dieting Myths Revealed to learn which weight loss strategies really work. Visit https://www.lisanelsonrd.com/newu/call.html to learn more today.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
5 Biggest Dieting Myths Revealed
The Great Cholesterol Lie – Dr. Lundell
Dr. Lundell is a heart surgeon who wrote the book The Great Cholesterol Lie. In the book he discusses the effect of statin medication on cholesterol levels. He’s against the use of statin medication. I’ve put together an email series of four articles written by Dr. Lundell. They cover the following topics:
- The Tragic Cholesterol Theory
- Cardiac Surgeon Admits Mistake
- The Great Statin Scam
- Crestor Study, JUPITER Results Hardly Exciting
If you are considering statin medications or currently take statin meds, I recommend you learn more about what Dr. Lundell has to share.
You can use the form below to access the article series or go to https://www.lisanelsonrd.com/lundell.html to sign-up.
The Great Cholesterol Lie – Instant Article Series and [Heart Health] Access
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*PRIVACY POLICY– Your Email Is Safe With Me I will never sell, rent, or trade your email. I hate spam, too! |
Weight Loss – Can you snack and still lose weight?
There is a general perception that snacking is bad and you need to cut out snacking if you want to lose weight. Well, the opposite is actually true.
It is important to eat regularly, every 3-4 hours to maintain your metabolic rate, promote stable blood sugar levels, and prevent insulin spikes. By maintaining a high metabolism you boost the calories you burn throughout the day, which helps you lose weight. By maintaining stable blood sugar levels and preventing insulin spikes you will prevent drops in energy.
Now, this doesn’t mean just any food will work. You need to select heart healthy snacks. This means eating snacks that balance carbohydrates with protein and/or heart healthy fats. Fat and protein slow the breakdown of carbohydrates, preventing the rapid rise in blood sugar and the corresponding increased insulin release.
Here are healthy snacks that are high in carbohydrates:
- Whole grain crackers
- Dried Fruit
- Pretzels
- Fig bars
- Fresh fruit
You can make these snacks heart healthy by combining with a protein. These protein sources that are easy to include with snacks:
- Glass of skim milk
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Nuts
- Peanut Butter
Here’s an example of how you can apply this to your daily snacks.
Mid-morning snack: Yogurt with granola
Mid-afternoon snack: Nuts mixed with dried fruit
Evening snack: Light frozen yogurt topped with strawberries
Balancing the carbohydrates and protein in your snacks is just one of many factors that affect weight loss. To drastically increase your success with losing weight and keeping it off you must wade through all the weight loss information available and sort out what works from what doesn’t. Many methods used to lose weight are ineffective and some may even sabotage your weight loss efforts. Sign up for the FREE teleclass The 5 Biggest Dieting Myths Revealed to learn which weight loss strategies really work. Visit https://www.lisanelsonrd.com/newu/call.html to learn more today.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
5 Biggest Dieting Myths Revealed
Lower Cholesterol – How do I increase HDL cholesterol?
Finally, you want more of something instead of less! HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is also known as the “good” cholesterol. HDL removes cholesterol from your bloodstream and carries it back to the liver. I like to think of HDL as a vacuum cleaner, picking up cholesterol LDL leaves behind in your arteries. HDL should be greater than 40 mg/dL, ideally greater than 60 mg/dL.
Physical Activity
One of the best ways to increase your HDL is through physical activity, specifically aerobic activity (jogging, swimming, biking). For results, you need at least 120 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. In this case, vigorous activity does not have more of an impact, but duration does. The longer you work out the greater them impact on HDL. Work your way up to a minimum of 30 minutes 4 days/week. If you’re not currently physically active, consult your MD before starting an exercise program.
Saturated and Trans Fats
Limiting unhealthy fats will also impact HDL, so look at your saturated fat and trans fat intake and see where you can make cuts. Your total fat intake for the day should be limited to 30% of your daily calories. Of this 30%, only 10% should be from saturated fat and ideally zero from trans fats. To attain these levels you’ll need to select healthy choices when dining out, read food labels, select healthy fats when cooking, select lean cuts of meat, etc.
Omega 3’s
Selecting healthy fats, such as omega 3’s, will raise HDL while lowering LDL. Incorporating healthy omega 3 fatty acids will also improve your total cholesterol to HDL ratio. Also, look for sources rich in omega 3 fatty acids you can add to your diet, such as fish and ground flaxseed..
Dietary Fiber
A high fiber diet does not directly boost HDL levels. However, a high fiber diet plays a role in lowering LDL cholesterol. As LDL is lowered, your Total Cholesterol to HDL ratio improves. For the greatest impact, eat a diet especially rich in soluble fiber and select whole grain products, fruits, and vegetables daily.
Alcohol
Alcohol plays a role in raising HDL levels also. I’m not a big advocate of using alcohol to raise HDL, so if you already consume alcohol 1-2 drinks per day can raise levels. More than 1-2 drinks per day will increase your health problems. If you do not drink, do not start.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
4 Week Compassionate Forgiveness Teleseries
I mentioned my colleague Brenda Adelman in a post a few days ago: Heart Health and Weight Loss – Are emotions holding you back?
I’m excited to share that she has extended her invitation to join her 4 Week Compassionate Forgiveness Teleseries for another week. This good news for you because there are only 3 weeks left she’s giving each and every participant who starts the class this Thursday, June 18th an additional one-on-one telecoaching forgiveness breakthrough session with her. She’s a transformational life coach. During your session she will help you delve into where you are not living your full potential by helping you identify where you are judging yourself, blaming yourself for choices you have or haven’t made or beating yourself up. Then she’ll help guide you to transform your judgments into self-love and honoring action steps. For an idea of how she works and the possibilities for breakthroughs in your own life she’s generously included a link here to her last two part series on the Power of Healthy Boundary Setting.
http://www.forgivenessandfreedom.com/audiolinks.html
Did I mention what qualifies her to not only teach on this tough topic but also why she’s so passionate about helping her clients and basically everyone who is around her? Brenda’s father shot and killed her mother in 1995 and then married her aunt. Brenda lived and learned first hand what holding on to anger and resentment does and was able to not only let go of her rage and transform it to love but she also learned how to teach others to also experience freedom and joy again even after they didn’t think it was possible.
In this four week Compassionate Forgiveness Telecoaching Series you will blast through what’s been stopping you from really feeling happy. In these four 90-minute sessions you will dive into the work that’s needed in order to start feeling better and you’ll have Brenda, M.A. In Spiritual Psychology and the other group members by your virtual side for support.
You can learn more about the teleseries here – Compassionate Forgiveness Telecoaching Series
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Be Heart Healthy and Lose Weight
Flaxseed and cholesterol – 3 Ways to Use Flax to Reduce Heart Disease
Flaxseed is a great diet addition if you are looking to reduce your risk for heart disease. Flaxseed is a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, and phytochemical lignans.
Flax is an option for individuals that dislike fish, but want to boost their intake of omega 3 fatty acids which are known to decrease heart disease risk by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Also, the fiber content makes meals “heavier” so you feel full longer, decreasing your likelihood to overeat. The fiber also promotes a lower LDL cholesterol level. Flaxseed lignans have been linked to cancer protection.
Aim for adding 1 teaspoon of flax oil to your diet each day or 1 tablespoon of milled flax. Adding flax to your diet is very simple. Here are a few options:
1. Flaxseed must be ground in order for your body to utilize the omega 3 fatty acids within, so buy your flaxseed ground and add to cereal, yogurt, salads, baked goods, and hot dishes. You are able to grind whole flaxseed with a coffee grinder or blender. Be sure to keep ground flaxseed refrigerated!
2. Flax oil can be used as part of a salad dressing or in recipes that call for oil. Flax oil contains the beneficial omega 3’s, but no fiber.
3. Use flaxseed as a recipe substitute for fat and eggs. Substitute 3 tablespoons ground flax for 1 tablespoon butter, shortening, or vegetable oil. To use flax in place of eggs, mix 1 tablespoon ground flax with 3 tablespoons water and let mixture set until gel like (1-2 minutes). Use mixture in place of 1 egg.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
