Calories vs. "Calories from Fat"

Someone please explain....aren't calories just calories. Are calories from fat much worse for you?? If so, why ???


If you had under 2,000 calories a day and all those calories are "calories from fat" wouldn't you still lose weight ???

Is it a weightloss issue, or health issue or both ???

I'd apreciate it if an informed person could answer these questions.

Once again, thank you, thank you one and all

Fat is probably the most misunderstood nutrient for the American people.

***FAT DOES NOT MAKE YOU FAT***

Not necessarily anyway. From a weightloss standpoint calories are calories. Period. I wouldnt necessarily say eating 2000 calories of just fat would be the good because you need other nutrients that dont come from fats, but you get the idea. The reason why fats have a bad rep is because they contain more calories per gram (9 cals) than carbs (4 cals) or protein (4 cals) so you cant consume as much of it as you could with carbs or fats.

Granted there are different types of fats. Some good for you (poly and mono unsaturated fats, essential fatty acids, some saturated fats, Omega 3's), and some bad (some saturated fats, trans fats). The sad reality is that most of the fat we consume are saturated animal fats and processed trans fats. Essential fats are called essential because our bodies dont produce them so we HAVE to supplement them through diet but unfortunately we dont eat as much foods rich in EFA's to cover our daily needs.

You asked if its a health issue or a weightloss issue. Well its actually both...in favor of fats. Ask anyone who's been on a successful strict cutting diet and they'll tell you it takes fat to burn fat. Essential fats help mobilize the breakdown of stubborn fat deposits in your body. Not only that but they help regulate mood and enhance brain function and improve appearance.

Thank you dear Masko for your thorough response....

So I understand you correctly:

You are saying that when I go shopping for food and I read the labels, I shouldn't pay as much attention to how many of the calories come from fat, but just focus on the cumulative calorie content instead???

Or...are you saying that it is better to pay attention to the kind of fat you put in your body rather than how many of the calories you're eating come from fat ?


or both

Originally Posted by Ramone

Thank you dear Masko for your thorough response....

So I understand you correctly:

You are saying that when I go shopping for food and I read the labels, I shouldn't pay as much attention to how many of the calories come from fat, but just focus on the cumulative calorie content instead???

Or...are you saying that it is better to pay attention to the kind of fat you put in your body rather than how many of the calories you're eating come from fat ?


or both

Pay most attention to the kind of fats that are on the labels. Food products are now required to disclose the amount of trans fats they contain so stay away from any foods with even the smallest amount. Also remember your body needs a little saturated fat so dont stay completely away from it.

Aim for foods high in unsaturated fats and EFA's. Foods such as salmon, nuts, avacados, olive oil, vegetable oil, soy beans, flax seed oil and many other foods.

Originally Posted by Masko

Pay most attention to the kind of fats that are on the labels. Food products are now required to disclose the amount of trans fats they contain so stay away from any foods with even the smallest amount. Also remember your body needs a little saturated fat so dont stay completely away from it.

Aim for foods high in unsaturated fats and EFA's. Foods such as salmon, nuts, avacados, olive oil, vegetable oil, soy beans, flax seed oil and many other foods.

I got Olive oil, Fish, Nuts and omega 3 supplements already covered


Thanks for the info. Awsome as usual