One of the most devastating nutritional lies women have been told is that “fat makes you fat.” I was a teenager when this mantra went mainstream, and I immediately shunned every possible gram of fat from my diet. Fake butter replaced real butter. Boxed fat-free cookies replaced homemade. As a naïve teenager who just wanted to look cute in my cheerleading skirt, I had no idea the havoc I was wreaking on my health by eliminating fat. So why was this advice so incredibly misguided? Because women desperately NEED healthy fats in our diet!
About Dr. Carolyn Marie
I’m Dr. Carolyn Marie, and I truly believe EVERYONE deserves to live a life of health and freedom!
As a Traditional Naturopath, Clinical Nutritionist, and Certified Food Addiction Coach, I help my clients discover that healthy food and healthy habits are the keys to living the life of their dreams.
Working together, I will connect the dots of your symptoms to help you understand your health in a profound new way. I will answer the questions that have been left unanswered even after years of visiting specialists. By taking a fresh look at your health as the unique individual you are, I can set you on a new path towards energy, vitality, and true wellness.
Visit my website at drcarolynmarie.com
Healthy Fat for Our Mood
Good quality fats are essential for our mood. Our brain is primarily composed of fat! To keep those healthy fats in our brain we need to consume them in our diet. Fats from fish, meat, nuts, and seeds are critical for the production of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, which help us feel happy and motivated as we go about our day.
I learned this the hard way when I began to struggle with depression after several months of my low-fat eating plan, but I didn’t connect the dots and struggled for years as a result. While there are a myriad of causes of depression and mood imbalances, adding healthy fats to the diet may be part of the answer for many. They fuel the brain and they are critical for our gut and brain to produce healthy levels of our “feel-good” chemicals.
Healthy Fats for Weight Loss
Research now proves that the “fat makes you fat” narrative is not only untrue, but it may also actually be the complete opposite of the truth! Having an abundance of good fats in our diet actually helps us loose and maintain a healthy weight. A diet focused on good sources of fat and protein such as meat, nuts, seeds, protein shakes, healthy oils (olive, coconut, and avocado) and collagen is a more successful and more delicious! - approach to weight loss than following the low-fat craze.
Fat helps us feel satisfied, so while it does contain more calories gram for gram than carbohydrates, we naturally compensate by eating less of these fat-rich foods. Studies show that incorporating healthy fats in our diet helps us maintain healthy blood sugar balance and reach weight loss goals faster than a high-carbohydrate diet.
Healthy Fats for Happy Hormones
Fat is the building block of cholesterol and hormones, and its importance for hormonal health cannot be overstated. They affect fertility and hormonal balance at every stage of a woman’s life. A diet rich in healthy fats gives the body the raw materials it needs to create hormonal bliss.
The Benefits of MCT Oil
MCT fats from coconuts, break down quickly and easily enter the cell for energy production. This makes it the perfect fat to add to your morning coffee or smoothie. My favorite way to do this is with Yonder’s super clean Creamy Vanilla collagen
powder. It makes the perfect substitute for cream and sugar in my coffee, and it adds a hearty dose of healthy MCT fat for immediate cellular energy!
Paired with Yonder’s Mushroom coffee containing Lion’s Mane, which supports brain
health, it makes for the perfect morning boost. It’s my favorite way to start the day!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do women really need healthy fats in their diet?
Yes. Good quality fats are essential building blocks for the brain (which is primarily composed of fat), for the production of feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, and for cholesterol, which the body uses to make hormones. Cutting fat too low can leave the body short on the raw materials it needs.
What are the best sources of healthy fats?
Fish, meat, nuts, seeds, and healthy oils such as olive, coconut, and avocado are all excellent sources, along with MCT oil from coconuts for quick energy. Collagen fits naturally into a fat-and-protein-focused way of eating and supports skin, hair, nails, joint, bone, and gut health as part of a daily routine.
What is MCT oil and why is it considered a good fat?
MCT (medium chain triglyceride) oil is a fat from coconuts that breaks down quickly and enters the cell easily for energy production. It is a favorite for steady energy and pairs well with a diet rich in whole-food fats and protein.
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