For me, the low-fat craze ended a long time ago. We were forever being told that to lead a healthy lifestyle and to lose weight eating low-fat was key, but over the years my thoughts on this whole concept have been spun on its head.
Although there is nothing wrong with eating low-fat food at all and there are certain health risks associated with eating trans fats there are many full-fat foods out there that can be beneficial to our health as well. One of my gripes with low-fat food is that some of them (not all) tend to be pumped full of crap like fillers, artificial flavourings and sugar to overcompensate for their taste that taking out the fat has produced. At first this was the main reason why I ended up going down the full-fat route as the majority of the food is in its purest form and hasn’t been tampered with.
Another thing that struck with eating full-fat over low-fat is that it keeps me fuller for longer compared to low-fat foods. Since it satisfies my appetite for longer I seem to use smaller portions of it too, which means it lasts a bit longer – giving my bank balance something to smile about.
Of course, some full-fat foods aren’t good for you and these tend to be the trans fats found in junk food. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are great for your health and are often found in full-fat dairy, nuts and seeds. Here are my top 3 favourite healthy full-fat foods, although the list could have gone on forever:
Avocados
I love these creamy green fruits like no other. I use them in my smoothies, on salads and Mexican meals and have recently started to add them on top of my porridge to get some healthy fats in the morning. One of my favourite ways to eat them is with fried eggs with a super runny yolk. Not only are they full of nourishing heart-healthy fats they are also a great source of anti-oxidants and vitamins like vitamin C that can help protect the body from certain conditions.
Coconut oil
I’ve harped on about coconut oil for a while now and it’s still a well-used product in my house. From cooking, baking, moisturising and now as a treatment for my hair the uses for coconut oil seem endless. I also like to add a tablespoon to my porridge and smoothies to make them more nutrient dense and it works well as a replacement for butter in baking. There’s a fudge recipe that I’ve tested that will be coming on the blog soon and coconut oil features heavily in that. I just love the stuff!
Dairy
Dairy is one of the main food areas that has been hit hard by the low-fat brigade with low-fat yoghurt, butter and cheeses being the most popular. I prefer the taste of full-fat dairy and find that I use less of it because it keeps me fuller for longer.
Just to make a point, I’m not anti-low fat at all, I’ve just experienced some great health benefits of eating lots of healthy full-fat foods and think that full-fat deserves it’s time in the limelight. The theory that full-fat is bad for us to me is a little outdated and more emphasis should be put on eating healthy full-fat foods that nourish and protect the body.
Do you think the low-fat craze is overkill? What is your opinion on eating full-fat over low-fat? What are your favourite full-fat foods?
Ah avocados, coconut oil, Greek yoghurt + nut butters are always staples on my shopping list! I’m so glad people are starting to realise that healthy fats are not the enemy! 🙂
Same here Beki, they are so good for us.
Funny enough I don’t eat any of these. But I’m not a ‘healthy’ eater well trying too but its hard.
This is pretty useful though. Thanks for sharing hun.
Charlotte x
You’re welcome Charlotte. 🙂
Really informative post loved it. I need to get some coconut oil! x
You so do, it’s fab!
Can’t agree with you more on a low-fat craze!
I absolutely love avocados and in moderation full-fat foods will actually benefit you.
Glad that I’m not the only avocado fan out there. I eat so many of them!
I believe full fat is ok so long as it is in moderation. For cooking and baking you need full fat otherwise things might not turn out the way you planned.
Absolutely! The full-fat versions of things in baking give a lovely flavour that low-fat cannot provide.
I’m totally with you on this one. Avocado nearly every day, I always have full fat dairy and eat as many eggs as I like.
Good for you Clementine. It sounds like you get lots of healthy fats in your day.
I think there’s definitely been a huge shift away from “low fat” everything – I never imagined that I’d eat things like full fat Greek yogurt and almond butter back when I thought that Special K and skimmed milk was the healthiest breakfast! x
It’s weird how things can suddenly change like that. I remember trying Special K once and really didn’t enjoy them at all.
Great post – people do tend to get so caught up with how much fat stuff has in it when they should be checking the sugar! Avocado is my total love at the moment!
Thanks Rowan! Avocados are just delicious.
I’m completely with you on this. I used to be terrified of animal fat and olive oil as well, but now it’s all about the flavour. Chicken skin for example is so tasty when cooked right – why did I always remove it!?
Full fat milk though is a bit much for me – just too creamy. I had it in my porridge once and though it was delicious by the end I was just so full and felt a little sick. All in moderation I think!
I’ve never really been a fan of full-fat milk either or cows milk, in general, hence why I love my almond milk. The fat does add a lovely flavour that low-fat can’t replicate no matter how hard they try.
All of my favourite foods 🙂
The only thing I eat low fat is Total Greek yoghurt. I love the full fat version, but because my diet is quite high in (healthy) fat anyway, and I eat a lot of yoghurt, I keep that low fat. Plus, it doesn’t have any added junk.
I love the full-fat version too, but can find it a rich sometimes. The 2% is a great halfway house between full and low fat.
Great post. I absolutely love coconut oil.
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Thanks Izabela!
I agree with you- low fat so often means something worse is added to replace the fat- be it sugar, or salt, or weird chemical things. I sometimes buy a low fat hummus as Sainsburys do a basil and sundried tomato one, and they don’t do it as a full fat version, but I can’t think of anything else I buy that is “low fat” labelled. Like you say, fats fill you up too. And I like to think they lubricate my joints although I think that is all in my head!
I do think it’s sad that, even though, there is nothing wrong with eating low-fat especially if you are watching your calories they are promoted as being healthier. Like you say they are full of chemicals that can make them seriously unhealthy. I think more emphasis on this is required so people are more aware.
I love avocados especially with boiled eggs. I also use coconut oil which is great for cooking.
I eat some diary products like feta cheese and natural yoghurt which I buy in low fat version if I can. Just thinking of calories but you are right, full fat versions keep you fuller for longer. I have one problem with cheese though. It causes my skin to break out! This is one reason why I go for lower fat versions but I try not to buy it too often although sometimes it’s nice..
It’s great that you know what works for you in terms of eating full and low fat. Avocados work great with eggs don’t they, well anything really. 🙂
I don’t think I have ever been swayed by low-fat or low-calorie claims. I think I’d much rather have the full taste sensation in most cases instead!
Looking forward to your fudge recipe. I love fudge…a healthier version definitely appeals to me!
The fat content does add a lovely flavour that the low-fat versions just can’t compete with.
I’d much rather have the full fat version than the low fat version, hate the idea of all of those chemicals and they just increase the sugar which does me no good at all! xxx
It’s crazy that low-fat is marketed as healthier, but it’s full of chemicals and additives.
Nut butters are the one that is missing from my list, so hard to restrict to just 3 things.