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Articles REAL Food Organic, Local, Traditional Friendly Fat Essential Fatty What?
Articles REAL Food Organic, Local, Traditional Friendly Fat Essential Fatty What?
| Essential Fatty What? |
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| Written by Angelle Batten HHC, MEd |
Is there such a thing as a Good fat? Yes! There are different types of fats and some are needed by the body to produce energy and maintain cellular structure.
Most of us know by now that Trans Fats are bad for our health and any food with partially hydrogenated oils listed in the ingredients should be left on the shelf! As moms we also need to know the difference between omega-6 and omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). Our body cannot manufacture EFAs, but must have them to live. Omega 6 EFAs come from plant sources that include: borage, black currant, canola, corn, cottonseed, primrose, safflower, soybean and sunflower oils. "Safflower, Corn, Sunflower, Soybean and Cottonseed Oils all contain over 50% omega-6 and, except for soybean oil, only minimal amounts of omega-3. Safflower oil contains almost 80% omega-6. Researchers are just beginning to discover the dangers of excess omega-6 oils in the diet, whether rancid or not. Use of these oils should be strictly limited. They should never be consumed after they have been heated, as in cooking, frying or baking."[1] Can my child get too many EFAs? Yes. Most children are consuming too many omega-6 EFAs through processed foods. The ideal balance of omega-6 to omega-3 EFAs is somewhere between 4:1 and 1:1. Our early ancestors had about a 1:1 ratio. Most Americans now consume so many omega-6 oils through processed/packaged foods that their intake ratio falls between 20:1 and 50:1! What does this mean for your child’s health? Research shows us that such an unbalanced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 contributes to a depressed immune system and inflammation, both of which contribute to chronic diseases including allergies, asthma, cancer, and heart disease. What can you do to protect your child’s health and correct the imbalance of omega-6 to omega-3 EFAs?
One: Feed your child as much REAL food as possible – no packaging. Snack on fruits; vegetables; nuts; seeds; meats, poultry and dairy from grass-fed animals (Visit Local Harvest to find a source near you.) Add ground flax, chia, and/or hemp seeds to your child’s salads, yogurt, or smoothie. Two: On packaged foods, read the label. Avoid foods with the omega-6 EFAs listed above. Children consistently snacking on crackers, granola bars, cereals and other convenience foods are increasing their intake of unhealthy omega-6 fat. Three: Provide a high quality fish oil supplement to ensure that your child is getting enough omega-3 EFAs to promote healthy immune, circulatory and nervous systems. Reputable brands include Carlsons and Nordic Naturals. "At the turn of the century (a time when heart attacks were a rarity), the average American consumed only one pound of vegetable oil per year, while today that amount can exceed 75 pounds.” ~ Dr. Joseph Mercola Angelle Batten, MEd. is a Holistic Health & Parenting Coach and co-founder of nourishMD. She teaches parents how to feed their children REAL food and parent in a more connected way every day - so despite a crazy busy life they can raise healthier, happier children who make the world a better place. Source:
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