Don't skimp on these healthy fats
Everyone needs fat for energy. Just choose unsaturated fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) found in foods like salmon and walnuts. Limit saturated fats, including cream and butter, which come from animals, as well as trans fatty acids -- the artery-clogging result of turning oils into room-temperature solids, as with hard margarines and shortenings. MONOUNSATURATED FATS Type of fat Monounsaturated oils Type of fat Nuts/nut butters Type of fat Fatty legume Type of fat Fatty fruit POLYUNSATURATED FATS Type of fat Omega-3 fatty acids Type of fat Polyunsaturated oils
Food source Olive, peanut and canola oils
Health benefits Reduce "bad" (LDL) cholesterol
Food source Almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts, macadamias
Health benefits Good source of protein, fiber and polyphenols (a class of phytochemicals that show promise in preventing cancer and heart disease)
Food source Peanuts/peanut butter
Health benefits High in resveratrol, a phytochemical also found in red wine that can reduce the risk of heart disease; also a good source of protein, fiber and polyphenols (see above)
Food source Avocado, olives
Health benefits Terrific source of vitamin E, which fights heart disease, as well as fiber and lutein -- a phytochemical found to prevent some age-related eye diseases (macular degeneration, but not cataracts)
Food source Fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel, flaxseeds, walnuts
Health benefits Fatty fish provide healthy protein and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease; flaxseeds brim with fiber and show promise in fighting cancer and helping lower cholesterol; walnuts protect the heart, fight cancer and help reduce symptoms of inflammatory diseases like arthritis.
Food source Corn oil, soybean oil
Health benefits Help reduce "bad" (LDL) cholesterol
