You've heard it all from fats are bad for you to carbs are bad for you. So then you decide to follow diet plans that eliminate fatty foods or carbs or both altogether only to find yourself right where you started. What these diets don't inform you about is that there is such a thing called "good" fat and "bad" fat and there is also "good" sugar and "bad" sugar. Have you ever wondered why fresh fruit will go bad within a few days whereas canned and boxed food can last weeks? Well, it's called chemicals better known as preservatives. They chemically alter "natural" ingredients to make it last longer and so that it has a longer shelf-life. Now you wonder what are really considered as the good fats and the good carbs.

There are 4 types of fats found in food: monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, saturated, and trans. We all obviously know that trans fat is bad because it has been chemically processed. However, what food producers don't tell you is that hydrogenated oils are just as bad because they have also been changed so that it lasts longer therefore making it unhealthy for your body to digest. Now you question, what about meat? It is natural and eating lean fat is good for you. Frankly, meats are not as easily digested by the stomach and usually take a longer time to process through your system. In addition, meats have been processed and preservatives have been added to keep the meat fresh. The end result is the meat ends up becoming your fat even if you eat lean meat.

So, you ask: What foods have the good fats? Well, specific oils such as: olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, walnut oil, soybean oil, and grape seed oil. If you substitute any of these oils for your current oil, remember that overcooking of these oils can result in the altering of the oil's molecular structure and it will end up making it bad for you, similar to hydrogenated oils. Note to self: Do not re-use already heated oil. Other foods with good fat include: nuts, seeds, non-dairy butter (peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.), avocados, and black and green olives.

Carbs in food come from sugar and starches. Most bad carbs cause blood sugar levels to rise very quickly. The common term is known as a "sugar high." These foods include: flour, white rice, cornmeal, and table sugar to name a few. These carbs have been refined and processed which ends up stripping away all the natural nutrition. Once the carbs have been processed, minerals and nutrients are added to these carbs. However, these added nutrients are not easily digested as the natural nutrients are. When these carbs aren't digested properly, they start to store in your body as fats (a.k.a. – triglycerides) making your body fat.

Types of good carbs include: Fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains (bread, cereal, and pasta). These foods have natural carbs which are easily digested by the stomach and intestines and doesn't end up becoming stored as fats in your body.

Just to warn you, over-indulging on these "good" fats and carbs doesn't mean that you'll lose weight and be healthy. These foods should be eaten in moderation, but should definitely be a part of your daily diet. The saying, "You are what you eat" is very accurate. You just have to know what it is you're eating. When foods have been chemically processed, the nutrients have been stripped away, and to make up for this, food processors add chemically-made nutrients. Unfortunately, chemically made nutrients aren't the same as natural nutrients. For example, if you have done your research, you'll know that taking vitamin supplements are not as effective as eating natural foods with the particular vitamins. These chemicals are clearly not made to be digested by the human body.

NOTE: Diet plans that are available don't tell you the entire truth, they tell you a bunch of crap that sounds like it makes sense, but isn't completely backed-up by scientific evidence, and they end up with all your money and you end up right where you started, only now you're broke. A good piece of advice is to research the ingredients of the foods you love to eat. If you feel like you could use a change, find other healthier alternatives that you can choose from. The internet is a whole world full of useful information if you look in the right places.

To conclude, there is some good news! You can eat fats and carbs! You just have to pick the right types to eat. Never, ever deny yourself fruits and veggies because those are the best types of carbs you can eat! However, add lean meats to your meals in light moderation. For example, enough to keep your hunger satisfied, but do not over-indulge. Also, be smart while using the right types of oils when cooking and don't over-indulge or else you'll never truly be healthy.