Let's Talk Fats

Keto, and any other way of eating, is all about making the right choices. While the process of moving your body into a state of ketosis requires a high fat, low carb, moderate protein diet, the types of fats that you use to fuel your body are some of the most important choices you are going to make.

Though it may be tempting, following Keto is not a get out of jail free card into the world of eating fried foods, bacon, processed meats, fast foods or high fat junk foods. Let’s face it, healthy is as healthy does. While there is some space within Keto to add these things in as a treat now and then, it is not advisable to maintain your diet on fat sources such as these. I’ve chatted in another post about the importance of sourcing grass-fed meats and dairy and this is just the beginning of making good choices in the fats you use.

When structuring your daily meals, you should try to hit your macros starting with a foundation of good sources of unsaturated type fats. These come primarily from vegetables, nuts, seeds, fatty fish, olives and olive oil and avocados which all go a long way to contribute to your heart health. Top these up with some farm-raised grass-fed meat and dairy and you will be hitting your fat macros in the best way possible for your body and mind.

Along with being heart healthy, a lot of these foods are high in Omega-3 fatty acids. These wonderful gifts from nature can help fight anxiety and depression, promote brain health during pregnancy, improve eye health, lower risk factors for heart disease, reduce inflamation and help prevent fatty liver. Along with the fatty fishes like salmon, mackerel and sardines, you can get these great Omegas from chia and flax seeds and nuts like almonds and walnuts.

While a lot of people just starting Keto are concerned about the effect of adding high amounts of fats into their diet, as long as good fats are prioritized, the high-fat nature of Keto has many positive benefits.