Fats Part 1: Not Just the Energy
Despite 88% of young children reporting having a lower total fat intake, 69-73% of participants exceeded saturated fat intake through their daily diet. This alarming statistic raises concerns about what we are truly feeding our kids.
To know more about what the 69-73% of participants consumed, we need to first understand what they are.
What are fats?
Fats are an extremely important part of your diet. They are a type of lipid, occasionally called triglycerides, and they help you feel full so you stop eating. In addition to helping store energy, many cells in your body contain lipid-based membranes.
While some may avoid macronutrients due to their high calorie count, certain types of fats have essential benefits. Divided into various subtypes, different fats have various effects, both positive and negative, that can be found in foods.
Saturated vs Unsaturated
Two main categories for fats include both saturated and unsaturated fats. However, it is important to note that inside unsaturated fats are two different types: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated.
Benefits of Unsaturated Fats for Your Kids
Good fats are credited with being long-term fuel for children that can help them feel full and satisfied throughout the day. In addition to being a source of healthy long-term energy, unsaturated fats can come with a multitude of various benefits that are not necessarily all energy-related:
- Nervous system: Provides structural components like the cell membrane and the myelin sheath, which help enable communications between neurons
-
Vitamin absorption: Helps dissolve vitamins from food and transport them to the bloodstream
- Without fat, your child’s body cannot properly absorb these vitamins from the foods
- Hormones: Act as building blocks for steroid hormones and other signaling molecules
- Plays a huge role in cell communication and function
-
Immune system: Modulates immune cell activity by altering cell membranes and produces signaling molecules such as lipid mediators that resolve inflammation
- However, excessive fats can contribute to chronic inflammation and impair immune cell functions
Healthy Sources of Fats for Your Child
Appearing in almost every type of food, fats can be found everywhere except for certain fruits and vegetables. Thus, it is important to know where your child can enjoy the benefits of fats through healthy food options that are both fun and delicious.
-
Avocado
- Known as a monounsaturated fat, avocados can provide a fun, versatile addition to meals
- Can be served as a dip, such as guacamole, or with whole wheat toast, like avocado toast
-
Nuts and nut butters
- Can be used as a spread or a to-go snack
-
Olive oils or other plant oils
- Known as a monounsaturated fat
- Can be used to cook their food in order to support heart and brain health
moüthfuel: The Snack You Can Trust
Find comfort and reassurance in moüthfuel’s ingredients! With minimal saturated fats, moüthfuel’s Sunburst balls are filled with an organic and trusted blend of seeds and oats.
These fun snacks provide sustained energy for your child’s activities throughout the day. From sports practices to times at home, moüthfuel’s got your next healthy snack time covered for both you and your child!