Fats have become something of a pet topic for me. They’re the macronutrient that everyone loves to hate, unfairly persecuted by myths still perpetuated by the marketing of commercial food products and the diet industry. I suppose I’ve made it a bit of a personal mission to get the word out there about beautifully nourishing, natural fats. But of course, not all fats are created equal. Here’s a brief run down on four main types of fat that we consume.

I’m not really into ‘superfoods’ as such, but I’d consider coconut oil to be right up there when it comes to uniquely superior foods for health. Here’s a quick overview on some of the major nutritional benefits of coconut oil…

Here in the southern hemisphere we’re currently in the heat of summer, and I can’t think of anything much more satisfying than basking in the sun and then cooling off with a creamy, dripping ice cream. 

Fresh cream. Fresh, raw cream from grass-fed cows.

Heaven.

Contrary to popular belief, cream from pastured organic cows is incredibly nutritious. It’s amazing source of fat-soluble vitamins A (for eye, skin, and adrenal health), D (essential for the absorption of calcium), E (an antioxidant, great for the skin) and K (essential for blood clotting and bone health). Cream fat also contains lots of short- and medium-chain fatty acids (good for energy and fat-burning) as well as conjugated linoleic acid (a potent antioxidant, muscle builder and immunity booster). Remember, the fat component of dairy is where the nutrition is… don’t shy away from it!

This is for those of you who choose nonfat yoghurt, drink skinny lattes, substitute butter with margarine, and deny yourselves the great pleasure of cheese. I used to be one of you. But, around a year and a half ago, I did a complete nutritional 180 and started enjoying delicious full-cream yoghurt, real butter, rich cream, and quality cheese (not to mention lots of egg yolks, fatty cuts of meat, coconut cream, bacon, sausage, lard…). I feel fantastic – healthy, energetic, lean, well nourished, satiated – I’ve never looked back. And I’m now pretty outspoken when it comes to promoting full-fat over skimmed foods (in case you missed it). Here’s why…

“The diet-heart hypothesis has been repeatedly shown to be wrong, and yet, for complicated reasons of pride, profit and prejudice, the hypothesis continues to be exploited by scientists, fund-raising enterprises, food companies and even governmental agencies. The public is being deceived by the greatest health scam of the century.” – George Mann, ScD, MD, Former Co-Director, The Framingham Study