The proposal is to think about food as a whole and not in isolated nutrients.
In recent years, people and science have searched for the culprit behind the obesity epidemic. First it was fats, now sugars. Regardless of the impact on weight, the focus is extended by giving a single nutrient, different diseases … but we are far from this reality.
The proposal is to think of food as a whole and not in isolated nutrients.
Both fats and sugars are nutrients that provide energy. 1 gram of sugar provides 4 kcal while fat provides 9 kcal per gram.
We definitely do not eat nutrients in isolation, but rather combine them to prepare a meal. According to the caloric intake data, we could affirm that the excess of fats in our diet will be a determinant of weight gain. However, sugar and fats have different digestive processes and their storage capacity is different. The nutritional quality of a food will determine the impact on weight and health. There are certain fats that are considered to be cardio-healthy such as olive oil, nuts, fish, avocado, etc. It is not simply a matter of “counting” how many grams of fat we incorporate in a given meal, but its quality.
Different centers evaluated the impact on weight loss if fat and sugar consumption is reduced. In a recent study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, Dr Kevin Hall points out that reducing fat intake may lead to greater weight loss.
On the other hand, sugars have recently been considered to be “isolated culprits”; there has even been a strict approach to the consumption of fresh fruit, considering them to be “conflicting nutrients. We cannot eliminate such an important food group that in addition to energy (fructose) provides us with antioxidants, fiber, minerals and vitamins.
If we talk about fats, we probably think of oil, cream or butter. But we are not used to eating only cream by the spoonful!!!! Or sugar in spoonfuls. They are always part of a preparation such as ice cream, or whipped cream that is prepared by combining cream and sugar, achieving an exquisite taste for our palate. This combination is known as “fats” and it is these fats that stimulate our “reward center” in our brain. Many times to counteract stress we use these foods, which give us gratification. That is why it is very important to understand that food in itself is not addictive but that there are addictive behaviors in certain people with a predisposition to seek gratification through food.
Finally, we must understand that it is the excess of calories as a whole, and not of a particular nutrient, that is responsible for weight gain.