The Sunday News
Simon Gama
Have you written off eggs? For years we were told to eat no more than three (then four) a week for fear of raising our cholesterol levels.
However, a new study suggests that eggs may not be the cholesterol culprits they’ve been cracked up to be.
In the study, subjects with healthy cholesterol levels ate up to two eggs per day for up to eight weeks. The result: no overall change in their blood cholesterol levels. However, when the subjects gradually increased their egg consumption, they showed varying changes. Some had a slight elevation in their cholesterol levels. Definitely a mixed message.
Studies like beginning to attract attention. Recommendations are currently being re-evaluated. But remember — consuming more eggs may be okay for those with normal cholesterol levels, however, they should check with their doctors before cracking a daily egg.
Another benefit of low-fat eating; Less chance of skin cancer.
By now, we should all be aware of the health benefits of a low fat diet: lowered cholesterol, less chance of heart disease and decrease in many types of cancer. Researchers now say that a low fat diet can reduce the risk of no melanoma skin cancer. Cancerous lesions have increased dramatically in recent years. If eating healthfully can combat these alarming lesions, shouldn’t we take heed?
Research shows that subjects consuming a diet with no more than 20% of its calories from fat had about one third of the lesions as those whose diet contained twice as much fat — a remarkable difference! So once again, a diet low in fat and high in fruits, vegetables and grains can help to produce a longer, healthier life.
Cafe a la fat; Is your coffee a diet disaster?
With a knowing smile, shake your head at the dessert tray, skilfully outflanking that phalanx of fat and calories. Instead you request an after-dinner cafe mocha or latte to satisfy your sweet tooth. What a great replacement right? Wrong! Listen to this. The average cafe mocha comes equipped with over 300 calories and up to 31 grams of fat. Add whipped cream and you could end up with 400 calories and as much as 40 grams of fat.
A cafe latte isn’t much better. One brand contains about 263 calories and 14 grams of fat (not including the whipped cream).
If you must sip a java, order a cappuccino. Without whipped cream, a cappuccino contains around 150 calories with 6 grams of fat.
The good news in specialty coffee is in caffeine content. Cappuccino, latte and cafe mocha actually contain less caffeine than store-brought brands. That’s because they are made from Arabica beans instead of robusta beans, which contain more caffeine.
The bottom line when ordering java is not to confuse it with a low-fat dessert substitute. You can use skim milk instead of whole milk and ommit the whipped cream altogether.-Additional information from online sources.
The writer, Simon Gama is a fitness coach at Body Works Gym in Bulawayo.
