When I was a boy, I used to spend Sunday afternoons in my grandmother’s kitchen. Her piecrusts were second to none. What was her secret? Homemade pig lard.
It goes against everything we’ve been told for fifty years, but good old-fashioned lard is one of most natural fats and in its unpolluted, unadulterated form is also one of the healthiest fats you can eat.
Before you start writing to me telling me how ignorant I am take a look at this new study that backs me up on this. I’ll also give you some tips on where to find the best fats.
Who’s Afraid of Saturated Fats?
I’ve been saying for years that saturated fats are not the bad guys the food industry (which, not coincidentally, makes huge profits from synthetic fat substitutes) would have you believe. They’re a natural part of your diet and they don’t raise your risk of heart disease.
Contributors to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition agree. They analyzed a group of studies from the University of California proving that cutting out saturated fats won’t help you live any longer.
What’s more, they found no evidence that eating less saturated fat lowers your risk of heart disease. (This will be a shock to everyone who’s been avoiding meat, cheese and dairy fat.) I know that not everyone will believe that saturated fats are not the enemy.
Yet many of the products marketed as “healthy” alternatives to natural animal fat are the ones loaded with trans fat. Margarine is a great example. I think of it as plastic food. Real butter is much healthier.
The Joys of Real Fat
Learn where the trans-fats come from and avoid them. Anything made from hydrogenated oil is a problem. Beginning this year trans fat content must appear on food labels. Read the labels before you buy things like cookies, cakes, chips, buns or breads.
In contrast Omega-3 fats are the most important and have the greatest health benefits. It’s your best bet for raising your good cholesterol and boosting your brainpower. You’ll find them naturally in:
• Nuts
• Wild salmon
• Avocados
• Olive oil
The next time you go shopping, look for the unprocessed foods. And don’t sweat the saturated fats.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD