Chef Chad Clift Debunks the Myths on Fat

With obesity rising to an alarming level, Chef and restaurateur Chad Clift works hard to educate his staff and customers about the dangers and benefits of fat. It is widely accepted in the scientific and medical communities that a low fat diet is one of the keys to a healthy and long life. Most people, however, do not realize that you should not remove all sources of fat from your daily diet. In reality, there are fats that are good for you, and vital to your growth and development. While the bad fats increase your chances for heart related illnesses and obesity, good fats work to protect your heart and help your brain function properly.

 All dietary fats stem from the plant and animal based foods that we consume. The four types of dietary fats are saturated fats, trans fats, polyunsaturated fats, and monounsaturated fats. All four types of fats will deliver the same amount of calories to the body. If you are counting calories, one is not better or worse than the others. Yet, if you desire a body that is healthy, you should work on replacing the unhealthy fats that you eat with the super fats that promote health. This means that your fat intake should be limited to only monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. Chad Clift states that these types of healthy fats can be found in ingredients like avocados, walnuts, olives, fatty fish, and natural peanut butters.

Blog | Chad Clift

Blog | Chad Clift

Chad Clift Wants His Patrons to Eat the Best Proteins

As an up and coming chef and restaurateur in Seattle, Chad Clift places great significance in the healthy aspects of the menus he creates. One of the many ways he has promised to feed Seattle residents a meal that is both healthy and delicious is through a selection of nutritious proteins. Proteins are an important part of everyone's diet, and cannot be skipped. This, however, does not mean that you should eat any type of protein. There are some that are laden with fats, which is never a wise choice.

Chad Clift

Proteins are important because they are a building block for the body. Every organ, cell, and tissue that makes up our bodies is constructed with the help of protein. This crucial nutrient is present in our hair, nails, and skin as well. As our bodies grow and change, the proteins we eat help us to rebuild our tissues. Proteins contain enzymes that sustain the body, and twenty vital amino acids that give us energy and make us grow correctly. This is why even for vegetarians and vegans, protein remains a source of daily nutrition.

In the United States, most Americans are actually more protein than they require each day, but the quality of the protein is poor. Chad Clift says that this has led to an overwhelming number of adults and children who struggle with health issues such as heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Why Chef Chad Clift Loves Asian Food

Chad Clift got his first taste of cooking from his Japanese father, who taught him how to make a California roll at the age of twelve. Throughout his cooking career, he has always been particularly intrigued by Asian flavors as a way to connect with his heritage, and he currently works in Asian fusion restaurants in the Seattle area. He has also been fortunate enough to travel to several different cultures in Asia and experience their food firsthand. These trips have given him inspiration for his work back home in Seattle. While Clift loves food from around the world, he encourages everyone to try Asian dishes.

 

Just as in any other diet, Asian food has health benefits and health risks. However, Asian food is a great way for westerners to incorporate ingredients in their diet that they may tend to overlook. Asian dishes contain high amounts of vegetables and fruits, which many Americans do not eat enough of. They also have plenty of sources of protein other than red meat, such as beans and fish, which can be a great replacement for a burger. Finally, Asian food is often served in smaller portion sizes than American dishes, which can encourage weight loss.

Clift is also passionate about Asian food because of the wide variety of flavors used. Depending on the type of Asian food, the dishes may incorporate spicy, salty, sweet, savory, or sour flavors. Chad Clift loves working with these delectable flavors in the dishes that he serves at his restaurants.
​

Chad Clift Loves Food That Is Healthy and Tasty

Chef Chad Clift knows the common struggle of trying to stay healthy but also wanting to enjoy the taste of food. He finds that the best way to keep from overeating or reverting to fast food is to find healthy foods that taste great and are easily accessible. While he cooks a wide variety of complex foods in his work as a chef, at home he sticks to his favorite healthy staples.


When he’s craving a greasy pizza, Clift instead chooses to make his own so he is in control of the ingredients and portion sizes. He opts for less oil and butter, smaller quantities of cheese, and plenty of vegetables and healthy meats on top. He also may choose to make his pizza on an English muffin or tortilla when he is in a time crunch or just doesn’t feel like making the dough for a traditional crust.

For healthy breakfasts, Clift opts to make his own yogurt parfaits instead of eating a sugary muffin or croissant or a fatty breakfast sandwich. He uses low-fat yogurt and includes many of his favorite fruits, including berries and banana. He also includes whole-wheat granola for a bit of crunch. Finally, when Clift is craving a heavy dessert, he instead goes for dark chocolate, which has plenty of health benefits and is less harmful than milk chocolate or other dessert. Dark chocolate is actually one of the world’s best sources of antioxidants. Chad Clift highly recommends staying aware of the content of your food and choosing options that are both healthy and enjoyable.