Animal Fat?

[kjspea]

Should we try to get animal fat in with every meal? Why would this make a difference, I have seen some recs from members. I am trying to understand this one!

[Elizellen]

Not neccessarily animal fat - but fat of some kind is vital in our way of eating. So using oils to cook in is as good as using butter if you prefer it.

Also choosing the fattier meats or leaving the skin on the roast chicken will up your fat intake, which for induction ought to be about 65% of your food intake.

I dont have my copy of the 2002 edition of Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution at work (we call it DANDR 2002 for short here) but he does a good job of explaining the science behind this way of eating in the initial chapters.

If you havent read that yet I would suggest doing so as it is much easier to follow the rules if you have some understanding that there is good scientific reason for them!

Basically we are converting our bodies from running on carbs to running on fat, so by eating fat you will start to lose fat!! sounds weird, doesn't it but it does work

[kjspea]

The reason I was asking is b/c there are several posts from users stressing the importanc e of animal [i] fat, different than other fat sources. I don't remember reading that in the book. I am wonderding if people have found in practice that animal fat helps with cravings, etc. more than other fats.

[not2late]

Originally Posted by kjspea

The reason I was asking is b/c there are several posts from users stressing the importanc e of animal [i] fat, different than other fat sources. I don't remember reading that in the book. I am wonderding if people have found in practice that animal fat helps with cravings, etc. more than other fats.

All the meat you eat has some fat....even "lean" meats like chicken breast has a bit of fat. That's why it's sort of overkill to add fat to certain animal proteins, like eggs.

Anyhow, Dr. Atkins said don't be afraid of eating animal fat or eating vegetable oils because we've all been brainwashed about how "bad" oils and fats are for us. Margarine, however, is stuffed with trans fats so it's off limits. Personally, I'm picky about the vegetables oils I eat so I limit them to olive oil. Occasionally, I'll use peanut oil or even safflower oil, but olive is my main "added fat" source.

[burtonator]

Also.... note thats 65% of calories not weight. Its pretty easy to eat 65% calories from fat since fat is more than 2x the calories of protein and carbs (by weight).

I find that I naturally eat arount that number as long as I pay partial attention and make sure to include fat.

Also... animal fat has more cholesterol and saturated fat so if its possible to replace it with vegetable fat/oil then go for it. Olive oil is awesome!

And generally speaking I agree that people have been brainwashed into thinking that fat is bad for them ......

Kevin