You're Eating Too Much Fat If This Happens To You

With diets like Atkins and Keto staying in the limelight, and the abundance of fast-food options, Americans' daily fat intake may be cause for worry. According to SF Gate, Americans eat, on average, 79 grams of dietary fat per day. That is 20 pounds more fat consumed per year than the average in 1970! 

Of course all fat can't be seen as equal. There are healthy fats, and they are considered a macronutrient that we should be eating. But if you start noticing certain disturbances in your overall health, it might be a sign you're eating too much fat.

Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.D., a registered dietitian, shares with Livestrong that gas and bloating may be the most noticeable sign that it's time to trim the fat, so to speak. It can be hard to pin down too much fat as the culprit, since high-fiber vegetables like broccoli and brussel sprouts may inflect the same uncomfortable bloat. But if those types of veggies are nowhere near your dinner plate, then you know what to aim your suspicions at.

Another sign is a sudden urge to stock up on antacids. According to The Healthy, saturated fat takes longer for the digestion system to break down, which can lead to symptoms of indigestion and heartburn the day after an extra fatty meal is consumed.

And if your cholesterol levels have suddenly jumped through the roof, then it may be because of your fat intake. The bad, or saturated fats (think more Big Mac than avocado), can increase your cholesterol level. Take those high levels as a warning to cut back on fat before it is too late. High cholesterol has been linked to more serious medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes. 

It may seem obvious, but it's so important it bears mentioning. Weight gain is absolutely a sign you may be eating too much fat, explains Livestrong. Yes, the popular high-fat, low-carb diets are helping thousands lose weight, but even those won't work if you are over-consuming fried foods and too many bunless burgers. 

We're not here to scare you away from fats. As stated before, they are a macronutrient and our body needs them to function properly. But be on the look out for your body's warning signs so you don't end up consuming too much.