?What's the difference between good fats and bad fats
How can I get the good fat I need for a balanced diet
??Is my body fat percentage considered healthy
Good fats in the diet, the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids are praised by nutrition researches for their many health benefits
The unsaturated fatty acids include all the healthy oils (canola oil, sunflower oil, olive oil), nuts, avocados, pumpkin seeds, omega3 and 6 like salmon and fish
They lower cholesterol levels, LDL the bad cholesterol, and they increase HDL the good cholesterol
Bad fats in the diet, the saturated and Trans fatty acids include all the fried oils, the margarine, the processed food items, full fat dairy products
These should be avoided as they increase LDL, and are associated with heart diseases
Reduce you saturated fat intake by reducing fat dairy products, eating lean and skinless chicken. Plus, go easy on fried foods, commercial cakes and biscuits
Trans fats occur in small amounts in dairy products, they occur usually during the manufacture of some foods. When any kind of oil is exposed to high cooking temperatures like frying, it becomes TRANS
These fats like saturated fats are likely to increase cholesterol and LDL levels. Also they decrease HDL level which is even worse
Body fat percentage means different things on different levels
.Actually 5% body fat can cause serious health problems for the average person. Conversely 25 % can either be healthy or unhealthy depending upon age and gender
It is important to note the differences between men and women when it comes to determine body fat percentage
Women are healthier with higher body fat % than men. They require more fat levels for safe pregnancy
:For women between 20 and 40 years old
20to 26 % fat is good to excellent
:For women between 40 and 60 plus years old
25to 30 % fat is good to excellent
:For men between 20 and 40 years old
10to 20 % fat is good to excellent
:For men between 40 and 60 plus years old
20to 25 % fat is good to excellent
If the body percentages for both groups are higher or lower than the highest or lowest listed percentages, seeking proper adjustments is necessary
In order to provide clarity, it is best to look at a scale of body fat percentage
Mira,
What's the easiest way to measure body fat percentage? Our gym uses this equipment that I have to stand on (with bare feet) and it comes with all the measurements including fat percentage. I have serious doubts about its accuracy since I cannot imagine how it figured out the body fat % just by using my weight and bare feet as the source of its input.
this is common way to measure body fat, we use it here as well.
Actually this machine uses the electrical impedance to measure your body fat. this impedance can come out either from your feet (lower impedance), or your hands ( upper impedance) or from both.
Another way to measure body fat is by using a caliper on different parts of your body, like the mid- arms, your thights, your lower tummy...
But i personnally prefere the machine because it is more accurate and it gives you a whole picture of your body:)
Thanks for that info Mira. Now I will feel more comfortable knowing that the numbers thrown out are accurate.
You have noted very interesting details! ps nice site.