The Great Fat Debate!

As discussed in my previous blog post, some vegan adhere closely to Dr. McDougall’s Starch Solution which asserts that “the fat you eat is the fat your wear.” This statement suggests that the dietary fat you consume will convert directly into body fat, which we all know to be false. However, dietary fat does have higher caloric density than both protein and carbohydrate. Therefore, is dietary fat worth counting?

Added dietary fat in the form of oil, margarine, nuts, seeds, coconut, avocado, meat/cheese substitutes, etc. does increase the overall calories in a meal. Meat substitutes, fried food, and creamy desserts are of course high sources of fat, as well. So if you are counting calories or making an effort to burn more calories than you consume, it is important to gauge your fat intake and “spread the fat” but including small amounts in salad dressings or smoothies, in lieu of eating overtly fatty foods.

If your goal is weight loss, start by avoiding all overt fats- meaning all oil, nuts, seeds, avocado, tofu, and meat/dairy substitutes. Many people report very quick weight loss from this dietary adjustment. (Also, check out my Vegan Meal Planner) See over time if you are able to be sufficiently satiated after meals. Veggies, starches, and legumes are fast burning fuel sources! In fact, one of the first things you will here new vegans say is “I’m already hungry and I just ate three hours ago”. This is a serious learning curve for people new to plant based eating. Vegan meals will burn faster than the meat that sits rotting in your stomach and the dairy that constipates your gastrointestinal system! If starches, legumes, and veggies alone are burning too quickly, try adding trace amounts of fats in the form of nuts, seeds, or avocado to your meals to see if that slows down your rate of digestion! Watch your serving sizes of these overt fat sources closely.

Dietary fats also provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, as well! Although some outspoken vegan weight loss activists assert that they are doing fine after years of avoiding these foods, other nutrition experts recommend including these fat sources for optimum wellness long term! However, removing them for a few weeks to see how they are impacting your weight loss will not do any harm in the short term!