It’s time to change our thinking about fat, because it’s not all bad! Every person needs healthy, high-quality fat to survive, especially if you are physically active!

Even though the research is out there on the benefits of these healthy fats, many of us are still not getting enough.

Check out the warning signs below to see if your body may be craving some healthy, fatty goodness.

1. Your morning smoothie consists of fruit, almond milk, protein powder, and kale.

Sure, there is nothing wrong with a nutrient-rich green smoothie, but it’s missing a key ingredient— FAT! This is all the rage right now, and the high price tags on these green drinks are selling you short! If you aren’t getting a decent amount of fat in your smoothie, you’ll likely be hungry way before your next meal!

Ask your smoothie shop to add some nut butter into the mix the next time you opt for a green smoothie so you can stay full and satisfied until dinner!

2. You rely exclusively on walnuts, chia, hemp, and flax.

I’m glad you are getting in your omega-3 fatty acids (ALA) with these healthy contenders, but for our bodies to fully appreciate the benefits, it needs to convert them into EPA and DHA.
Our bodies can do pretty amazing things, but it isn’t very efficient at this particular conversion. So if you are a vegan, or vegetarian you may actually be lacking in EPA and DHA.

If at all possible try to include some salmon or eggs into your diet!

3. You feel nauseated after taking your daily vitamins.

It’s important to take all of your vitamins after you have eaten breakfast, or any meal. Taking them on an empty stomach can cause nausea and stomach irritation.

If you are taking Vitamins A, D, E, and K (fat-soluble vitamins) then you need to be taking them with some kind of fat so they can be properly absorbed.

Try taking them after you have had a slice of avocado toast to help alleviate any nausea.

4. By 3:00pm you mentally check out

A lot of people who work 9- 5 think this just comes with the territory of a desk job, but it actually doesn’t have to be this way. Your lunch choices could have something to do with the 3:00pm crash you are experiencing.

Try adding a Greek yogurt, or whole milk yogurt to your lunch to help you stay satisfied and alert longer. If you regular chow-down on a salad try adding some olive oil or nuts in!

5. You experience extreme mood swings.

Research has proven that omega-3 fatty acids can help mild mood disorders. In addition to including more omega-3s in your diet (see #2 above), cutting down on the amount of omega-6 fatty acids in your diet may improve the efficacy of those omega-3s.

It’s true that Omega-6s are essential, but most of us consume way too many of this type of fat, which can disrupt how omega-3 functions in the body. You can find omega-6s in the form of plant oils/ cooking oils (canola, sunflower, safflower, soybean, etc.) found regularly in packaged foods.

It all starts with what we eat, so make sure you give your body the proper nutrients it needs to perform at its best!

Namaste,
NuPowerYoga Team