| Copyright (c) 2006 Debbie Fontana | | | | have shown that our bodies absorb the lycopene |
| It's become a mantra. Fat is bad. | | | | in tomatoes more efficiently as sauce, juice or |
| At least, that's what almost all the diet gurus say. | | | | ketchup. |
| But did you know that when we cut too much | | | | Here again, rather than always eating salads with |
| fat from our diets, we may be eliminating the | | | | full-fat dressing, why not try cheese ravioli with |
| very element we need to absorb the vitamins | | | | tomato sauce? It's a tasty, satisfying dinner. |
| and nutrients that keep us healthy. | | | | And you may be enhancing your absorption of |
| That's because certain vitamins, especially in fruits | | | | the lycopene in the tomato sauce with the |
| and vegetables, are "fat-soluble." In other words, | | | | cheese in the ravioli. |
| your body can't absorb nutrients unless enough | | | | 3. Vitamin E. This can be found in broccoli, |
| fat is present. | | | | mangoes, peanuts and spinach. |
| So if you're constantly eliminating the fat from | | | | Some research suggests that vitamin E can help |
| your diet to cut calories or to follow the latest | | | | your heart and possibly prevent blood clots. But |
| warnings, you may be getting far less healthful | | | | the results aren't conclusive yet. |
| effects from your salads, other vegetables and | | | | However, a recent German study with rats |
| fruits. | | | | showed that eating trans fats actually slowed the |
| In studies released in 2004 and again this year by | | | | absorption of vitamin E when compared to other |
| Ohio State University, researchers found that the | | | | types of fats. So this may get tricky. |
| absorption of carotenoids from yellow, orange, | | | | 4. Lutein. This antioxidant can be found in dark |
| and red vegetables is better when you eat them | | | | green, leafy vegetables like spinach and also in |
| with some fat. Carotenoids are believed to have | | | | egg yolks. |
| cancer-fighting properties. | | | | Lutein is supposed to help your skin and your |
| Here is a partial list of some fat-soluble | | | | eyes, particularly in reducing the risk of macular |
| compounds that may be absorbed better if you | | | | degeneration. |
| eat them with fat: | | | | I find it interesting that we're allowed to eat eggs |
| 1. Beta Carotene. This can be found in foods such | | | | again when the food police vilified eggs for so |
| as cantaloupe and carrots. | | | | many years - particularly egg yolks. |
| The researchers suggest eating salads with full-fat | | | | Have we also gone too far in vilifying fat? |
| rather than low-fat or no-fat dressings. So if you | | | | So before you completely cut the fat from your |
| put carrots in your salad, full-fat dressing may | | | | diet, think about the nutrients you may be |
| help you to absorb the nutrients. | | | | missing. |
| But with so many people unable to stay on strict | | | | Now I'm not saying we should eat only high-fat |
| low-fat or veggie diets, why not choose | | | | foods. |
| something that tastes a little better? For example, | | | | But while it's not healthy to go to extremes with |
| something that people in Pittsburgh once called a | | | | high fat, it seems as though it's not healthy to go |
| Boston cooler. | | | | to extremes with low fat, either. |
| You cut a cantaloupe in half (leave the rind on), | | | | Maybe it isn't only the fat that's making us fat, |
| clean the seeds out of the middle, and put a | | | | but also the number of calories we consume. |
| scoop of chocolate or vanilla ice cream in the | | | | Some moderation in both areas just might do the |
| hollow of the half-melon. | | | | trick. |
| Then place the half-melon in a bowl so it doesn't | | | | And I believe people are more likely to lose |
| fall over when you try to eat it. You eat the ice | | | | weight if they like the foods they eat. |
| cream and the melon with a spoon. | | | | So talk to your doctor about whether you really |
| It's about 250 calories, but it's a great snack or | | | | need to cut so much fat from your diet. Or is it |
| dessert. You get to indulge with ice cream, but still | | | | healthy to have a little ice cream or ravioli once in |
| get some good nutrients from the cantaloupe. | | | | a while? |
| It's also filling. So you shouldn't be as hungry as | | | | His answer might surprise you. |
| when you just nibble on a salad. | | | | Debbie Fontana is a full-time author and business |
| And the best part is that the fat in the ice cream | | | | owner who writes about health, weight loss, |
| may enhance your body's ability to absorb the | | | | looking great, and feeling fantastic. She created |
| fat-soluble compounds from the cantaloupe. | | | | the delicious I Love to Cheat lifestyle diet and the |
| (Although no one knows for sure at the moment.) | | | | companion I Love to Cheat Rewards Newsletter. |
| 2. Lycopene. This is the red carotenoid found in | | | | She encourages her subscribers to submit their |
| watermelon, tomatoes and pink grapefruit. | | | | weight loss problems, questions, and concerns. |
| It's also a potential cancer fighter. Researchers | | | | |