If you’re trying to shift a few pounds, cutting fat out of your diet might seem like the easy solution. But not all fats exist solely for the purpose of making you gain weight – promise!

There are many healthy fats and fatty acids which your body needs to function properly. Key sources of these “good fats” include:

• Avocados
• Eggs (not just the whites!)
• Olive oil
• Nuts such as walnuts or almonds
• Nut butters like peanut, cashew or almond
• Flaxseeds
• Chia seeds
• Oily fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, trout and mackerel

In our haste to eat “healthily,” many of us skip out on fats – the bad ones AND the good ones. But if you’re body’s not getting enough fat, you’ll soon know. Here are a few signs…

1. You’re always hungry
Even after a big meal, you don’t feel satisfied and find yourself reaching for sugary or carb-filled snacks. Unlike sugar, fat makes us feel fuller for longer, and a lack of it can lead to a rumbling tummy.

2. You feel jittery or low in energy
Sometimes you feel buzzed, while other times you’d happily slump on your desk and go for a snooze. One of the main roles of good fats is to keep our blood sugar stable – without it you’ll experience spikes and dips regularly.

3. Your mind is a fog
Can’t shake that groggy feeling when you wake up? A lack of fat in your diet could be the culprit. Our brain needs fuel to keep functioning properly, and fat is one of the key sources.

4. Your skin is dry and dull
Every time you look in the mirror you reach for more foundation. But extra make-up isn’t the answer! Dietary fats support the oil-producing glands in our skin, keeping it bright, supple and hydrated.

5. You’ve mysteriously missing periods
The fat in our diet plays a huge role in regulating hormones – so if you’re not eating right, your cycle could go haywire. But remember that a missed period could have many causes so if you’re worried do consult your GP.

6. You’re feeling unusually low
If your positive attitude has taken a nosedive or you’re experiencing ups and downs, the lack of fat in your diet could be to blame. Missing out on essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 can leave you feeling down, so bump up your intake of fish, flaxseeds and chia seeds to help things along.

7. You’re not unfit but exercise tires you out
If your usual exercise routine feels unusually tough and tiring of late, it could be because you’re not fueling up with the right foods throughout the day. Our body burns carbs first, and then relies on our fat stores to keep us going. No fat equals no stamina!