It’s been a long time since nutritionists and health experts dispelled the idea that fat is all bad. In fact, if the recent upsurge in coconut oil sales doesn’t speak for itself, let these nutrition experts say it loud and proud—we all need fat in our diets. But why?
Well, fat, and not just the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated kind (i.e., from avocados, nuts, fatty fish, and olive oil), is one satiating (in other words, appetite satisfying) macronutrient. And, you might want to brace yourself for this one, studies now show that even saturated fat in unprocessed foods (i.e., raw chocolate) has benefits when it comes to metabolism and brain function, and even cholesterol quality. So buckle up to find out why nutritionists are telling us to eat more of these fats…
1. Cocoa Butter
Unless you never turn on the news and totally shun the internet, you’ve no doubt caught wind of the new popular fat in town…cocoa butter! While this fat has been lingering behind the scenes in our face, skincare, and lip care products for, well, ever—it’s only recently gained celebratory status as a baking, smoothie, and even a bulletproof coffee additive.
According to Ali Miller, RD, LD, CDE, integrative dietitian, functional medicine practitioner, and author of the popular cookbook, Nourished: Food as Medicine for Optimal Health, the fat derived from the cocoa bean (called theobroma) supports immune function, hormonal balance, and contains plenty of antioxidants and omega-9 fatty acids.
