Hey Everyone!
This is my blog about nutrition and fitness! I am very excited to share my knowledge with you.  I hope you learn something new today.

This fist post will cover fats.  Fats are a very misunderstood nutrient.  The media has convinced most of the public that fats are evil, weight gain-causing substances that you should avoid if you don't want to die of a heart attack by age 50.  This simply isn't true.  Fats also do not cause a person to become fat, despite their name. In fact, fats are essential to your health, hence the term essential fatty acids.  Even the much maligned saturated fat has health benefits, and does not seem to be as related to heart disease as once thought.

Despite the health benefits of fats, it is important to monitor your consumption of them closely.  Because fats contain 9 calories per gram, compared to protein and carbohydrate's 4, it is easy to consume more calories than you need in a day.  In my next post, I will discuss how to find the appropriate calories you need to gain, lose, or maintain your body weight.  Until then, be careful not to over eat fats, even if they are healthy fats.

Speaking of healthy fats, omega-3 fatty acids are very important fats.  Most Americans do not eat enough omega-3 fatty acids, and overeat omega-6 fatty acids.  Good sources of omega-6 are fish, avocado, flaxseed, and walnuts. Also, eggs and meat from grass fed animals contains a higher ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats than from grain fed animals.

Until next time,
Dan