Are Americans fat from not eating enough fat?

Americans have viewed fat in the diet as the root cause of obesity for years.  Starting in the 1950s, Americans were advised to stick to a low fat diet.  But is the fat in our diet really the cause of obesity?

In fact, since the advice to decrease dietary fat, the obesity epidemic has doubled!  New research now points to the increased consumption of carbs and sugar as the cause, not the fat in the diet.

There are actually many health benefits to having a moderate amount of fat in the diet.  Vitamins A, D, E, and K require fat go get absorbed by the body.  These vitamins are crucial for brain health and many of our organs.  In fact, Vitamin D is now thought to be important in decreasing the risk of Alzheimers, Parkinson’s, and depression.

The fats in butter and coconut oil supply fatty acids in white blood cells, which help our bodies fight infection.

Fat provides twice the energy as carbs, providing 9 calories per gram versus 4 calories per gram.  This provides energy for a longer time and helps the body feel more satisfied and less hungry.

So have a handful of nuts, a piece of salmon, and spread some butter on that bread!