Smart Exercise, Ultimate Body
By Michael Chua, Fitness Guru

The benefits of adding “good” FAT to your diet

“ Fat doesn't make you fat. Your body needs fat. Don't totally eliminate fat from your diet. Fat is an extremely efficient source of energy.”

We've all read these statements in fitness magazines, haven't we? Let me ask you a question. When we begin a calorie-restricted diet in order to lose body fat, why is fat still the very first macronutrient we try to completely eliminate? If this is similar to your approach, don't feel too bad. I, myself, have done the same—and should have known better. Just like you, I occasionally fail to take advantage of state-of-the-art fitness nutritional information that will help me reach my own goals. In my continuing efforts to help you learn from my experiences over the years, I want to share the painful lesson I learned about the importance of keeping fat in your diet while trying to get lean.

I was in Gold's Gym in Portland , Oregon about four years ago. IFBB professional bodybuilder, Paul Dillet, said to me, “Mike, you could be much meatier—and get just as lean as you were before.” He then offered me a rather simple, but extremely valuable, piece of nutritional advice. “You need more fat in your diet. I keep my carbohydrates really low and put guacamole (good fat) and salsa on my chicken breasts. Fat is an efficient source of energy for the body to burn. Fat is far more efficient than starchy carbohydrates,” Dillet told me.

How receptive do you think I was to his suggestion? The most unfortunate part of the story (for me, at least) is that, although I was unaware of exactly what I was doing, I used this very same nutritional strategy for months and I just didn't realize nor appreciate how effectively my body was utilizing this plan.  Just like the Zone diet - If you are not familiar with the Zone Diet, it basically suggests you avoid starchy carbohydrates (rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, etc.) and replace them with vegetables. To compensate for the calorie difference between the starchy carbohydrates and vegetables, the author recommends you add “good” fat to your diet in the form of olive oil, flax seed oil, or canola oil. My only variance to the diet was I kept my protein intake high (about 400 grams).

I suggest you pattern this type of nutritional strategy in your daily eating habit. Believe me, it works! If you have any questions please contact me at Winners Gym in Amigo Hotel (508-3440). Have a pleasant week and God bless to you all.