For decades, experts have claimed that fat is more dangerous for your health than sugar. But this all changed once scientists found the opposite was true.
Healthy fats are an important part of a balanced diet because they help lower your LDL-cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. However, many people don’t get enough of them.
Here are five ways to tell you’re not eating enough healthy fats.
1. Your Appetite Is Off the Charts
If you’re feeling hungry even after you’ve just eaten, it could be a sign that you’re not eating enough healthy fats. You should try to add more unsaturated fats to your diet. According to a 2009 study, they can help you feel fuller after a meal and allow you to go on for longer between meals.
2. Your Skin Is Dry
Fat encapsulates your skin cells, thus protecting them from dehydration. But when you’re not eating enough healthy fats, your hair can start to look and feel dry. And when your skin is dry, it’s more prone to cracking, bleeding, and rashes.
3. You Don’t Have Enough Energy
You may not know that fat packs a lot more energy than sugar in the same amount of calories. So, if you don’t seem to have enough energy, you may want to try switching to unsaturated fats.
4. You’re Not Losing Any Weight
Numerous studies have found that a low-carb, high-fat diet can help you lose more weight than any other diet out there. In fact, high-fat diets can be more than twice as effective. So if you’re trying to lose weight, consider increasing your intake of healthy fats.
5. You’re Always Cold
Your body also needs fat to keep you warm in different weather conditions. There’s a small layer of fat underneath your skin that keeps your internal temperature in check despite the outside temperature. So if you’re always feeling cold, try adding more healthy fats to your diet.
