Sunday, November 23, 2014

Nutrition: HEALTHY FATS

Since our blogs launch we have shared numerous recipes and information about the importance of eating well when you have cancer. We have featured information and recipes about protein + carbohydrates, well today lets take another nutrition component that tends to be overlooked: FATS. 

Although it is common to be told to stay away from fats, they are actually an extremely important part of your diet, especially the diet’s of pediatric cancer patients. It is learning which fats are the HEALTHY fats and which are not. Healthy fats provide a source of energy for the body.
Lets take a moment to break down where different fats are found as provided by the American Cancer Society:

Choose these types of fat more often…
  1. Monounsaturated fats are found mainly in vegetable oils such as olive, canola. They are liquid at room temperature. 
  2. Polyunsaturated fats are found mainly in vegetable oils such as safflower, sunflower, corn, and flaxseed oils. They are also the main fats found in seafood. They are liquid or soft at room temperature.


Try to limit these types of fat…
  1. Saturated fats (or saturated fatty acids) are mainly found in animal sources, such as meat and poultry, whole or reduced-fat milk, cheese, and butter. Some vegetable oils like coconut, palm kernel oil, and palm oil are saturated. Saturated fats are usually solid at room temperature. 
  2. Trans-fatty acids are formed when vegetable oils are processed into margarine or shortening. Sources of trans fats include snack foods and baked goods made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil or vegetable shortening. Trans fats also are found naturally in some animal products, such as dairy products. 

Here is a great recipe with healthy fats!
Here is what you will need:
  • 1/3 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup chopped bottled roasted red bell peppers, rinsed and drained
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt 
  • garlic clove, minced
  • (15 ½-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

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