Healthy Eating Essay

Eating foods containing fat does not seem like a smart thing to do especially if you are dieting, but certain fats are essential to make sure our bodies remain healthy. There are fats to avoid and these are known as the â€Å"bad† fats. Saturated fats and trans-fats are considered â€Å"bad† fats. This type of fat would include butter since it is more solid even at room temperature. Eating too much of these fats can cause your cholesterol levels to rise. High consumption of these fats can also cause a stroke and possibly lead to heart disease. Not all fats are bad though. There are â€Å"good† fats such as polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats. If these fats are consumed in moderation, they have the ability to lower cholesterol. There are risks to having too much of any type of fat. Too much could lead to excessive weight gain and obesity. Maintaining a healthy diet can be done with close monitoring to make sure you are taking in as many calories as you are burning. Taking in more calories than you are burning will cause you to gain weight. It is important to eat high-fiber foods, fat-free and low fat along with whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Fiber is also essential to a healthy diet. Eating a high-fiber diet will add bulk to what you are eating and you will remain full longer which will prevent unnecessary snacking. There are 2 types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber turns to gel when combined with water to slow down digestion so you feel full for a longer period of time. Insoluble fiber speeds up the process of the food we eat going through our stomach and intestines and adds bulk to our stools. There are so many ways to get fiber into your diet such as most cereals, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dried beans. High-fiber diets are beneficial. Fiber aids in constipation and helps things run smoothly and helps digestion. Diabetes and heart disease are sometimes treated with a high-fiber diet. Adding fiber into your diet is as simple as eating nuts to your snack or lentils to your soups and stews.