Read any diet advice from the 90's or 2000's and you will find many recommending elimination diets, especially of fat. However, now the trend is headed towards taking on fatty diets and eliminating sugars and carbs, such as with the popular ketogenic diet. While crash dieting may work quickly, it is also only temporary. Dietary fat has been blamed for many health problems; however, fat is actually an essential nutrient for optimal health.

My doctor has recommended a fattier diet to me, based on a combination of her research and my medical history, however, I find cutting down on carbs to be especially difficult. I struggle with picky eating habits and have tried vegetarianism for the past three years, so carbs are a high percentage of my daily intake.

Incorporating more fats into my diet involves relearning how I see food and nutritional values. After years of buying fat-free or low-fat products, I am learning how to better read a food label and identify trouble spots. For example in some food items, the amount of added sugars or salt is higher to make up for the taste that is lost when the fat is removed.

There are quite a few different benefits of healthy fats for your body. They are good for your brain and can help support its functioning. Additionally, fat is a source of energy. Fat provides the highest concentration of energy of all the nutrients and 1 gram of fat equals 9 calories. Fat provides the main fuel source for a long duration, low to moderate intensity exercise.

Because I spent so much of my teen years trying to get my fat intake down to 0 each day, I have been looking for foods that provide a healthy source of fats that I also enjoy eating. So far, my favorite source has been avocados. I love avocado toast with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice, or a grilled avocado with salad or as a snack.

Of course, there are plenty of other great sources of fats that can be added to your daily diet. Eggs, nuts, and dairy products can be a great way to add fat to your meals. I have found a brand of yogurts that have chia seeds mixed in, which are a good source of omega-3s. I have started using unsweetened flax milk in smoothies and cereals and add hemp hearts as a topping for various snacks.

Before changing up your diet, it is always best to get in touch with your doctor to make sure you're getting the nutrition your body needs. We can all learn that simply eliminating foods and following crash diets is not the way to go. Take some time to invest in yourself and your food by researching and learning what works best for your lifestyle. Food is such a vital part of our daily lives, so make sure you're treating yourself right. The best route is usually the balanced one.