For a long time, the health industry celebrated low fat diets and marketed them as the key to weight loss. However, a common misconception is that all fat is bad for you—on the contrary, your body needs fats to sustain. The key is knowing the difference between “healthy” and “unhealthy” fats. “Healthy fats assist our bodies in building healthy cells and regulating hormones. They also help with the absorption of certain fat-soluble vitamins which ultimately help boost your immunity and maintain strong bones and healthy skin.” Says Jennifer Jacobs, an NASM certified fitness-nutrition specialist and Beachbody supertrainer. These good fats, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, can be found in foods like avocado, salmon, nuts, nut butters, and vegetable oils.
Conversely, there are other types of fats that aren’t as healthy for you, and can raise your risk of a number of illnesses. One of these is saturated fat. “Food that is rich in saturated fat increases total cholesterol, LDL, and lipoprotein (Lp)a.” Says Dr. Raed Bargout, a cardiologist at Dignity Health-Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California. While the idea that a low fat diet is key to health is untrue, it is true that there are some that should be avoided more than others. If you’re at a particularly higher risk of heart disease, especially due to genetics or other pre-existing conditions, you should pay close attention to how much saturated fat you’re getting in your diet.
What is one food that’s especially high in saturated fat that you should avoid? Processed red meat is one that is especially unhealthy and could raise your risk of heart-related illness, especially processed pork. “Pork is loaded with saturated fat—leading to cardiovascular problems, high cholesterol, weight gain and more.” Says Caitlin Policastro, a nurse practitioner at the New York Center for Innovative Medicine.
Bacon is one processed red meat that health experts warn is loaded with unhealthy facts. “Not only is bacon full of the most unhealthy saturated fats (which can lead to a higher risk of developing heart disease and stroke over time). It is also a very processed kind of meat that has been linked to being a potential cancerogenic food.” Nutritionist Ann Ramark told SheFinds. Pre-cooked and packaged bacon is included in this as well. “Some bacon bits can have sodium nitrates added and other preservatives that also may have potential negative health effects,” warns Holly Klamer, MS, RDN. Any food that is heavily processed is hard for your body to process, but processed foods that are rich in saturated fats especially wreak havoc on your heart health when consumed in large amounts.
It’s important to note that all fats should not be demonized. Foods that contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats hold a host of health benefits and are necessary for a healthy body. However, foods that contain saturated fats are another story. Research has shown that foods high in saturated fats could lead to an elevated risk of heart-related illness when eaten regularly. One of the worst is bacon, not only is it loaded with saturated fat but it’s also considered a processed food, which means it can include other additives that are hard on your digestive system and your body as a whole. However, it’s important to note that all foods can be enjoyed in moderation—it’s important to find a balance between foods that you enjoy and the nourishing foods that your body needs. That is the key to achieving a sustainable, long term healthy lifestyle.
