Today let’s take a look at the role fat plays with our health, the consumption of it and how it affects the body. Also, how these healthy fats are inducing diabetes among youth.
So should we avoid ‘Fat’? The answer is a big ‘No’. Fat is not all that bad, it is very much required for our body. The catch here is the number of calories the fat adds on consumption. Each gram of fat provides more than two times the calories when compared to protein and carbohydrate.
Fats play immense role in the body as it accomplishes so many functions in the human body.
- Supply energy to cells
- Provides essential fatty acids not found in the body
- Transports vitamins that are fat-soluble (A,D, E and K)
- Provides a fatty layer for protection around the vital organs
- Very much needed to produce hormones
[Also Read Good if you how foods affect your blood glucose]
Overeating fat can lead to weight gain in no time unless you are physically very active.
The type of fat also plays a vital role in cholesterol levels in the body. The types of fat are
- Saturated Fats
- Unsaturated fats
Saturated Fats
The saturated fats are present in more amounts in animal products like
- Butter
- Cream
- Cheese
- Meat
- Poultry and Meat products
- Pastries/Cakes/Biscuits/White Bread and other processed foods
The saturated fats increase the bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body. Increase in LDL can add fat to the artery walls thereby increasing the risk to your heart.
There is a vast change in the lifestyle of our youth nowadays. The reasons mainly being
- The increase of snacks available on the shelf
- Consumption of Aerated drinks
- Consumption of Alcohol
- Reduction in physical activity
Increase of snacks available on the shelf
The easy availability of a variety of snacks at the counter has given an opportunity to binge. The wide range of snacks is so tempting that its very hard to resist.
The cookies, assortment of cakes and masala munch snack items are too much to handle, isn’t it?
With services available at your fingertips, they are all available at your doorstep. Wow making it easier for you to enjoy your favorite video games on the couch making you ‘couch potatoes’.
[Also Read 7 Low Glycemic foods for the DIABETIC!]
Consumption of Aerated drinks
Consuming Aerated drinks with friends has become a sight to watch at every nook and corner of the city. You do not need a reason to open a can of Cola/Pepsi. Hold On! The aerated drinks are nothing but sugar water adding more processed sugar to your system.
Consumption of Alcohol
The celebration among youth is marked with parties at discotheques or at Dominoes or KFC. In fact Pizza Hut, Cafes are the favorite hanging destinations of the youth today, and it has become a weekend trend. To catch up with a movie followed by a visit to a fast food chain has become an expected norm.
Wine, Cheese, Chicken are right when you take as per the body requirement. The excess will result in adding extra sugar or glucose to your body.
Reduction in Physical Activity
With cabs available at the doorstep, you just need to walk out of your door. Unless there is a conscious effort to be active physically, a sedentary lifestyle with above temptations can throw you off balance in no time.
Mind you! There is nothing wrong with the party trend, but the question here is how often it is? As anything in excess either cheese, or aerated drink or alcohol can add to your waistline in a single meal.
Studies have revealed that an increase in consumption of processed food leads to weight gain. The saturated fats can lead to fat accumulation around your abdomen increases the risk for diabetes. Further, it will lead to ‘insulin resistance’ resulting in type-2 diabetes.
Fast food, Fast life, Urgency to reach to the top is driving our youth today. Just a pause and a thought about your health can do wonders before it is too late. A little awareness of your body and food you intake would let you enjoy the life to the most.
Youth, considered being pillars of tomorrow are entitled with the enormous responsibility of taking good care of themselves. Youth in good health can shape a better tomorrow.
[Also Read Diabetes: Here is How to Manage Diabetes with Exercise]
