Are calories from fat really that bad?

MatthewLewis81
MatthewLewis81 Posts: 59 Member
in Food and Nutrition
In trying to eat a high protein diet, I'm finding that my calories from fat are often greater than 40% of my calories for the day. On the one hand, I do believe that a calorie is a calorie, but on the other hand, it seems hard to accept that a fat calorie is no worse than anything else.

I eat a fair amount of beef, eggs and other dairy, so I think that's where most of my fat calories are coming from. We eat very little processed food, so at least I know that most of the fat I'm getting is natural and not, for instance, hydrogenated oils. ;)

So is it bad news to be eating so much fat? And if so, will it impact my weight loss efforts, my general health, or both?

Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Eating fat does not make you fat, it's eating at a caloric surplus that does.

    Given that the link between dietary fat and serum lipid levels is tenuous at best I wouldn't worry too much about it (I think Health Canada's guidelines suggest no more than 30% of your calories from fat but that's based on the possibility of a relationship between dietary fat and heart health)
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Realize that fat is a *nutrient* and essential for your body. If you do not eat enough fat, you are setting yourself up for health problems.
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    Your body needs fat. I try to get more of mine from sources such as avocado, eggs, nuts, fish and diary though, and try to cut down a bit by buying lean cuts of pork and beef.

    As some studies have finally concluded with eggs and dairy though, I'm starting to think that we will eventually find out that bacon fat is the cure all for all life's ills. :bigsmile:
  • siyah
    siyah Posts: 8
    I often am at 40 percent and sometimes more too. I would also like to know if it is too much fat. I have found nonfat yogurt and (low fat) protein powder keeps it a bit lower, and beans too. I particularly worry when I go over on the saturated fats :/
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/fats-full-story/
  • christineellis
    christineellis Posts: 296 Member
    What has your progress been so far? How does your body respond? Those are the most important things. As previous posters have said, don't go too low on fat, your body needs it at the cellular level!

    I go more than 40% and have been successfully losing over the last 2 months. :)
  • christineellis
    christineellis Posts: 296 Member
    http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/fats-full-story/

    Good article!

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