HEALTH

Q. What’s the difference between a good fat and a bad fat? How can a fat be good?

A. Fats get a bad rap generally, but people actually need fat—both good and bad—to help us develop and grow, be energized, absorb vitamins and lots of other complicated stuff that keep our bods in working order. Nuts, olives, olive oil, avocados and fish like salmon all have what’s called “good fat” because they don’t raise blood cholesterol like other kinds of fat. Generally, keeping an eye out for foods with less saturated fats and trans fats is the way to go, but our advice is to not stress too much. If you’re eating a well-balanced diet (lotsa veggies, plenty of calcium and lean protein), fat is just a normal and necessary part of the food we eat to keep us healthy.

Don’t try and beat the system by replacing healthy foods with low-fat varieties. Lotsa times they’re packed with sugar, and you’re likely to eat more (“It’s low-fat...I can eat as much as I want!”). The exception? Low-fat and skim milk are totally great picks!

Blog It Out… Fat that isn't bad for you? Good news, no?! What foods are you replacing in your diet to get the nuitrition you need?

Face it — your body can be one crazy perplexing place sometimes. So submit your body, health and fitness questions here! We’re talkin’ to experts and doing tons o’ research so we can get you the answers you need. Just e-mail HealthyYouQs@girlslife.com!

3/18/2008 12:00:00 PM