Eat Healthy Foods, Live Longer and Feel Better

Part 3 is about oils/fats and yes, you can eat some fats and oils that are very healthy for you, they aren't the kind you will find at your local restaurant drive thru however. Also, unfortunately, some of them you can't even be found at your local supermarket, although, they are becoming more readily available there. The right fats/oils can actually be good for your heart and even help you manage your weight. So lets start covering these miracle fats and learn a little about them:

Flax Seed Oil: Some facts about flax seed oil; it never converts to body fat, not ever, so this works for both the dieter and the hard gainer; never use flax seed oil for cooking, oils high in essential fatty acids are not good for cooking, in fact heat can turn these healthy fats into harmful ones; only purchase flax seed oil in the refrigerated section and they should be in very dark containers; flax seed eaten at meals can increase the nutritional value of other foods. Many of the chronic diseases are classified as chronic inflammation, some of these are heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, arthritis, asthma; and the good news is that these can be reversed with natural anti-inflammatory foods and supplements and yes, flax seed oil is one of those. Flax seed is effective in lowering cholesterol levels; stimulates the immune system; contains high levels of antioxidants; so consume at least a tablespoon of the powerhouse fat everyday, the perfect way to introduce it into your diet is put it in your morning smoothie.

Omega Fatty Acids: These can be taken in a form of a supplement which if that is your preferred method it needs to be the balanced amounts of 3-6-9, however, as you start eating healthy you will get this balance in some of the foods you eat, so the amount of the supplement will be able to be reduced as you are getting the value from the foods you eat. Omega 3 helps in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as strokes, high blood pressure, brain, nervous system, protect again certain cancers like breast and prostrate, they help reduce inflammation by improving the blood flow in the body and also strengthening the joints. Omega 6 also needs to come from our diet and/or a supplement and the conversion of this for the body to use is very limited and is blocked my our on the run lifestyles, such as stress, smoking, ageing, sugar, nutritional deficiencies; which means many of us are deficient in this Omega. The supplement that supplies this fatty acid is evening primrose oil and you need a supplement that has at least 10% GLA and from a reputable company. Omega 9 is essential not a fatty acid, because our bodies can manufacture some of it as long as the other two are present in our bodies, however, they all three work very well together and so the premium supplement would have the three included in it. Omega 9 is what the call Oleic Acid and it lowers the risk of heart attack, arteriosclerosis and can reduce the risk of cancer. Foods that contain Oleic Acid are extra virgin oil, olives, avocados, almonds, sesame oil, pecans, pistachio nuts, cashews, hazelnuts and macadamia nuts.

Olive Oil: This is another oil that should not be used for cooking as when it is heated it looses it healthy properties and it should be extra virgin olive oil. Once again this oil reduces body inflammation, it can also assist in weight loss; it helps you look better by reducing dry, coarse skin, strengthen cracked and weak nails, helps hair to be shiny and sleek; protects your heart; combats cancer; helps with the affects of diabetes.

Hazelnut Oil: It is probably one of the most luxurious of all the above oils, or at least it may seem that way as gourmet chefs around the world use it in their prized recipes. This oil can be heated to 430F, so you can cook your favorite foods in it and it has about the same healthy properties as olive oil, with just a little different taste to enhance your menus, it goes well as a substitute for butter and it also goes great with chocolate.

Just so you will know what other oils/fats are good for cooking I am going to give you two other ones that can be heated to higher temperatures. One is grapeseed oil, which can be heated to 420F and it has all three of the Omega Fatty Acids in it and it also comparable to all the above oils; the other one that can be heated to higher temperatures is coconut oil and it is once again one of the most healthy oils you can cook with and it can be heated to 350F for cooking your foods, it has a very distinct flavor and you would need to like coconuts to be able to enjoy this in your cooking.

These are many options for you to get started on your healthy path to good eating and know that the food can taste good and still be healthy, quite looking for short term answers and fixes, and make long term lifestyle changes.

Thought for the day: "We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise, we harden." -Goethe-

My life is a work in progress; my current passion is health and wellness in the arena of organic food, holistic health, natural wellness and sharing information with the physically challenged. I reside in my own personal wellness center retreat and sanctuary in California and this affords me to bring to you my wisdom, knowledge and spiritual self in my writings Darlene Siddons http://www.spiritedboutique.com