Animal Fat is Essential to Life and To Good Health
Animal fat has certainly been regarded as the enemy over the years, hasn’t it? It wasn’t always that way, and it’s unfortunate since fat is essential to life and to good health. Fat provides energy, and is needed for hormone production. And fats are a fantastic tool in the battle of the bulge. Without fat, we are less likely to be satisfied and become hungry more quickly, because fat slows down nutrient absorption.
Minerals Need Fat to Be Absorbed
For minerals to be absorbed, fat is needed. Think of the implications of that when you are drinking low-fat dairy. The calcium in the milk needs saturated fat to be absorbed.
Which Fats to Use
Some fats are more suited to high heat cooking, others should never be heated. Empowered Sustenance breaks down which fats to use when in her post Choose and Use Good Fats.
Butter and Lard
I love butter almost as much as I love my kids. Making sure that it’s sourced from cows which are raised on pasture means it’s good for me!!! Food Renegade’s post Why Butter is a Health Food explains more. If you can’t find pastured butter in your area, it’s available online here.
But butter will make me fat! Well, eating anything in excess will make you fat. Holistic Squid covers this myth in her article Why Butter is Good for You.
After butter, I love lard. It’s a wonderful choice for cooking and a great source of Vitamin D if it comes from animals that have been raised out in the sun on pasture. Is it possible that the epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency we are seeing is because we’ve become afraid of fat?  If you’re wondering how to render your own, I show you how in this post on how to render lard or tallow.
What About Vegetable Oil
And if you’re wondering about vegetable oil, check out Thank Your Body’s post The Ugly Truth About Vegetable Oil. Yeah, for the most part, it’s not such a good choice.
CholesterolÂ
I know what you’re thinking. But what about all that cholesterol? Our brains, in particular, are rich in cholesterol. It’s essential to life. Grass Fed Girl shares 10 Reasons You Need Cholesterol in her guest post at CarbSmart.
Make Sure Your Source is Pastured Animals
And in case you didn’t get the message in all the other posts I’ve mentioned, here’s one of mine on the The Benefits of Choosing Animals Raised on Pasture.
Doesn’t it make you so happy that eating healthy is also so delicious!!!
Recommended Reading: Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig.
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
Toni says
Yes, eating healthy makes me very happy. Your post is excellent.
Have a nice day.
Stephanie Blue says
This is the truth! People are so misinformed about fats. If I don’t cook my eggs in bacon grease, I cook them in butter. Yummmm!
Vipvorobjev clinic says
Once I tried to give up meat. But later I realized that refusing to eat meat only harmed my health. I faced serious problems of the digestive system that contributed to the development of ulcers and erosion of the stomach. The main reason why you should not give up meat is the exacerbation of all chronic diseases when taking protein after a long abstinence. Contact the Vipvorobjev clinic before making the same mistake as me
Catriona says
Could my tinnitus emerging be because after a lifetime (30+ Years ) of eating vegetarian food I am now eating meat and fish (introduced slowly)?? Your comments makes me think yes. So what can I do??
Susan Vinskofski says
I’m curious if you have any hearing loss? That is a major cause of tinnititus. I don’t know of any remedy.
Unabis says
Hello! Thank you for this really interesting and informative article. But I want to share my thoughts for example, in some areas, there are groups who still have very high rates of cardiovascular disease and obesity despite being vegetarians. This happens because they’re not getting enough cholesterol from their diet! It turns out that plant-based fats do not carry Omega 3 fatty acids which help with heart health and play an important role in a human’s body.
Simon Jenkins says
Thanks for your post. Now I really think about using animal fats more often in my diet.
Tamara Peterson says
I certainly value my health and stick to a healthy diet. I don’t think that excess fat will be good for my health.
physiotherapist gold coast says
It’s fascinating to learn how animal fat can be a health food! Rich in essential nutrients like vitamins A, D, and K2, and healthy fats, it supports brain function, hormone production, and energy. When sourced responsibly, it’s a wholesome addition to a balanced diet that challenges outdated dietary misconceptions.
aaaa says
Hi there! This article could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I’ll forward this post to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a very good read. Thank you for sharing!