Don't Lose the Fat: Why Some Diet Gurus May Have Steered You Wrong

Copyright (c) 2006 Debbie Fontanahave 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 muchHere again, rather than always eating salads with
fat from our diets, we may be eliminating thefull-fat dressing, why not try cheese ravioli with
very element we need to absorb the vitaminstomato 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 fruitsthe 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 enough3. Vitamin E. This can be found in broccoli,
fat is present.mangoes, peanuts and spinach.
So if you're constantly eliminating the fat fromSome research suggests that vitamin E can help
your diet to cut calories or to follow the latestyour heart and possibly prevent blood clots. But
warnings, you may be getting far less healthfulthe results aren't conclusive yet.
effects from your salads, other vegetables andHowever, a recent German study with rats
fruits.showed that eating trans fats actually slowed the
In studies released in 2004 and again this year byabsorption of vitamin E when compared to other
Ohio State University, researchers found that thetypes 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 themgreen, leafy vegetables like spinach and also in
with some fat. Carotenoids are believed to haveegg yolks.
cancer-fighting properties.Lutein is supposed to help your skin and your
Here is a partial list of some fat-solubleeyes, particularly in reducing the risk of macular
compounds that may be absorbed better if youdegeneration.
eat them with fat:I find it interesting that we're allowed to eat eggs
1. Beta Carotene. This can be found in foods suchagain when the food police vilified eggs for so
as cantaloupe and carrots.many years - particularly egg yolks.
The researchers suggest eating salads with full-fatHave we also gone too far in vilifying fat?
rather than low-fat or no-fat dressings. So if youSo before you completely cut the fat from your
put carrots in your salad, full-fat dressing maydiet, think about the nutrients you may be
help you to absorb the nutrients.missing.
But with so many people unable to stay on strictNow I'm not saying we should eat only high-fat
low-fat or veggie diets, why not choosefoods.
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 ahigh 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 abut also the number of calories we consume.
scoop of chocolate or vanilla ice cream in theSome 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'tAnd I believe people are more likely to lose
fall over when you try to eat it. You eat the iceweight 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 orneed to cut so much fat from your diet. Or is it
dessert. You get to indulge with ice cream, but stillhealthy 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 asHis 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 creamowner who writes about health, weight loss,
may enhance your body's ability to absorb thelooking 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 inShe 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