When I grocery shop, I naturally read labels on products before I purchase.  In the past, I concentrated on the amount of additional sugars that are added to the foods I could buy.  While controlling sugar intake is still an area of concern for me, I have a new area of concern.  My new focus is to reclaim your health: eat natural fats, not vegetable oils.

There is a great deal of information and history on natural fats and vegetable oils.  One of the best resources that I trust is The Fatburn Fix by Catherine Shanahan, MD.   In the book, she details the history and the science behind these fats and oils.  She has developed a list of bad oils that we should avoid. 

Bad Fats

• Corn Oil
• Canola Oil
• Cottonseed Oil
• Soy Oil
• Sunflower Oil
• Safflower Oil
• Hydrogenated Oil
• Vegetable Oil

When I first tried to eliminate these bad oils from my diet, I learned it is harder then I thought. 

I was shocked that so many of the items in my cupboard have these seed oils in the ingredients.  As an example, we eat many salads that are loaded with leafy greens, colorful vegetables, healthy protein and topped with seeds, cheese, and of course some “healthy” salad dressing that I purchased at the store.  Boy, was I wrong.  The dressings I was purchasing was loaded with the bad oils. So, our healthy dinner salad was topped with unhealthy, damaging oils.  My new routine now is to make salad dressing from scratch.  They are easy, fast and I can make many different varieties!

I am also changing the way I look at natural fats.  Some I have used for years and others I am adding to our meals.  We need fat in our system to function. It helps us to feel full and our body burns natural fats more efficiently.  We need fat for mental and overall health. 

Good Fats

• Olive Oil
• Peanut Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Butter, Cream, Half and half
• Bacon Fat
• Cheese (excluding velveeta)
• Cream Cheese, Sour Cream

Avoiding these bad oils is another link in the chain to living a healthy lifestyle.  Losing the ability to burn body fat for fuel not only reduces energy, and increases hunger, but it also decreases your metabolic health.  Working with a coach can be a great resource as you navigate your fitness life and the missing links.  Reclaim your health: eat natural fats, not vegetable oils.