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