Ghee, when consumed in the recommended quantity, does not make you fat. In fact, it may even help with weight loss when combined with a balanced diet and exercise. However, ghee is rich in fat and calories. Hence, it may promote weight gain if consumed in excess. It is best to limit yourself to 3 to 6 teaspoons of ghee per day. Now, if you question yourself before cooking your meal - “Is ghee good for weight loss?”, you know what the answer is.
Think of ghee and your eyes start to shine as bright as the “liquid gold” does in reality. It is also difficult to stop your mouth from watering when you think of ghee, isn’t it? Ghee has been used in Indian households for centuries due to its numerous traditional uses and health benefits. But as rich as it is known to be, is ghee good for weight loss? Read to know.
Ghee: Calories and Nutritional Value
Ghee is a form of clarified butter, generally made from cow’s milk. It is made by melting the butter formed after the churning process of milk or cream. The butter separates into liquid fats and milk solids. The milk solids are removed and the liquid fat is ghee.
The nutritional value of 1 tablespoon or 14 g of ghee is as follows:
Nutrient
Content in each 13 g
Calories
123
Total fat
13.9 g
8.67 g
4.02 g
0.517 g
Cholesterol
35.8 mg
Protein
0.039 g
Carbohydrate
0 g
Fibre
0 g
Sugar
0 g
Calcium
0.56 mg
Sodium
0.28 mg
Potassium
0.7 mg
Vitamin A
118 µg
Vitamin C
0 mg
Vitamin D
0 µg
Vitamin E
0.392 mg
Vitamin K
1.2 µg
Source: USDA
Is Ghee Good for Weight Loss?
It is commonly known that ghee has a higher fat content than butter. However, ghee is a rich source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid with several health benefits. Studies suggest that the CLA present in ghee may help reduce excessive weight gain and decrease the mass of body fat in individuals.
Ghee also contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), a type of fat. Some studies suggest that MCTs can help with burning excess calories and thus assist with weight reduction. It is also stated that the short-chain fatty acids present in ghee improve digestion and boost metabolism.
Thus, ghee may be able to help with weight loss due to the constituents mentioned above.
How to Consume Ghee for Weight Loss?
There are various ways in which you can make ghee a part of your weight loss diet.
How Much Ghee is Good for Weight Loss?
Although ghee has several health benefits, it is high in fat and calories. Thus, those who are on a weight loss diet should watch their intake. Limit yourself to 3 to 6 tsp (teaspoons) of ghee in a day to aid weight loss.
What are the Risks of Overconsumption of Ghee?
What are the Other Health Benefits of Pasta?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ghee should not lead to weight gain or increased belly fat if consumed in moderate amounts. Instead, it can actually reduce your weight and belly fat, when combined with a balanced diet and exercise. However, it is rich in fats and calories, and when consumed in excess, can lead to weight gain and increased belly fat.
Both ghee and oil can help with weight loss if the right type and quantity are used. Choose homemade ghee with no additives and go for cooking oils with healthy (unsaturated) fats. Stick to the recommended quantities for each, and club their use with a balanced diet and regular exercise to see results for weight loss.
Both ghee and butter are high in saturated fats and have similar nutritional compositions and culinary properties. In fact, ghee contains a higher amount of fats and calories when compared to butter. Both have similar properties and can help with weight loss in conjunction with a balanced diet and regular exercise. However, ghee is a better choice if you are lactose-intolerant or want to cook food at higher temperatures.
Ghee, when consumed in the recommended quantity, does not make you fat. In fact, it may even help with weight loss when combined with a balanced diet and exercise. However, ghee is rich in fat and calories. Hence, it may promote weight gain if consumed in excess. It is best to limit yourself to 3 to 6 teaspoons of ghee per day. Now, if you question yourself before cooking your meal - “Is ghee good for weight loss?”, you know what the answer is.