Whatever the problem, fat gets the blame. Heart attacks. Cancer. Obesity. Soaring petrol prices. It doesn't seem to matter. All would be well if only we switched to healthy vegetables, fruits and grains instead.
When Fat Is Good
Let me inform you of a doctor approved diet for certain types of children. 90% of the calorie intake of the diet is made up of fat. Yet these kids are normal in weight and their cholesterol levels are only slightly higher than ideal. These children are afflicted with epilepsy. The diet helps to control their seizures.
A typical breakfast might be mushroom omelette with bacon and a cup of hot chocolate made with 36 per cent cream. This may not appeal to you, but for the children and their families it's just what they need.
What, you're not convinced? It's a special case you're thinking. It doesn't apply to the general population. For the rest of us, fats are bad, vegetables and fruits are good.
It's not so simple. For some nutritionists the number one dietary deficiency is .....fat.
Saturated fat from meat and dairy is not the enemy it's often portrayed as. It may not be particularly desirable, but our bodies are well adapted to eating it. The real problem is that we're eating far too much of the omega 6 and trans fats from vegetable oils and far too little omega 3 from oily fish.
When Vegetables Are Bad
Glasgow University professor Kenneth McColl has given a warning that vegetable consumption could be behind the UK's fastest growing cancer. He and his 10-strong research team believe that the three fold increase in throat cancers over the last 20 years could be down to nitrate fertilisers.
Buying organic vegetables is not the answer. The also contain a great deal of nitrate.
I could mention all the naturally occurring toxins, carcinogens and mutagens found in fruits and vegetables. But I won't. At least not for this article.
I could also mention those people that are especially sensitive to carbs. They need to limit how much fruit and vegetables they eat because they effect their blood sugar levels. But we'll leave that alone as well.
I might even mention the many people who have a toxic reaction to certain foods. Even 'healthy' foods, like grapefruit, oranges, tomatoes, onions.
I could even point to people who have an allergy to aspirin. The chemical found in aspirin (salicylate) is also high in fruits and vegetables.
Of course I'm not seriously telling you to avoid fruits and vegetables and eat fatty foods. I'm making the simple point that you are an individual, with nutritional requirements that are personal to you. There is no other person on earth that's like you, so don't let anybody tell you what to eat and drink. Get to know your own body and understand what makes it tick.
