Choose Healthy Fats
Fatty and fried foods not only make weight control more challenging, fat can be a source of fat-soluble contaminants. The rancid fats found in aged meats, cheeses, and deli meats can contribute
to oxidative damage of body tissues. To reduce ingestion of fat-soluble contami- nants, it is helpful to eat smaller sized
animals (like chickens) and fish (like
sardine)that are lower on the food chain. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that con- sumption of farmed salmon be limited to one three-ounce serving per month.
It is also helpful to limit or avoid full-fat dairy products and red meats, as well as processed foods made with hydrogenat- ed (trans) fats. The current guideline is to limit beef, lamb, and pork consump- tion to 18 ounces per month.
Refined oils (corn, cottonseed, saf- flower, sunflower, soy) and processed and fried foods made with these oils
are best minimized or avoided, because these oils tend to be pro-inflammatory, and chronic low-grade inflammation contributes to the development of chronic diseases. The healthiest fats are those found in plant foods, like avoca- does, nuts, and seeds, because along with fat, these foods also provide nutrients and other phytochemicals. Including
anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats in your diet several times each week is also helpful. While fish and seafood provide the most biologically active forms of omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed, hemp,
and chia seeds also provide these anti- inflammatory fats.
Remember, you can use your fork
to reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and diabe- tes with the following nutrition strate- gies: 1) avoiding excess weight gain; 2)eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans; 3) reducing your con- sumption of fatty foods; 4) eating fish or seafood (not fried) two –to-three times each week; and 5) avoiding sweetened beverages and food made with high- fructose corn syrup.