Fit With Z: Fat vs. Calories

Q:		I have been skinny for most of my life, hovering around 150 lbs. Over the last six months, I am up to 185 lbs. I excercise when I can, usually once a week. I also try to shop for "lowfat" and fat-free foods, but I still gain weight. Which should I be more concerned about when looking to control my weight: saturated fat, fat, or calories?

A:		First, I would like to find out how tall you are, and figure out your BMI (body mass index). That way we would be able to tell if you fall within a healthy category, looking at your height and weight. Checking your body composition, to see ratio of lean and fat tissue will provide a better and truer picture of your needs. After figuring out your needs, I would recommend that you increase your exercise volume to at least three times a week. Make sure you have a nice mix of cardio, strength, and flexibility. Finally, focusing on "lowfat" and fat-free foods will not guarantee healthy and low calorie foods. While the foods might be low-fat (they really might not be, as food producers use various marketing 'tricks' to make them appear no fat), these foods are rarely low calorie. You might think that you can eat as much low-fat food as you want, but that is completely not true. Make sure to read every nutrition label on products you purchase and check serving sizes and calories. This goes into your last question; calories are #1, then amount of Trans fat and saturated fat. Those are the "bad" fats. Polyunsaturated and Monosaturated fats are actually "good" for you, and will you want to consume a certain amount of those fats in your diet. Fat is an essential nutrient for your body, so you do not want to limit it completely.