Sorting Through the Fat Confusion: Understanding Healthy and Unhealthy Fats

When it comes to fats, there’s a lot of confusion around what’s healthy and what’s not. For many years, fats were demonized and labeled as the root cause of numerous health issues, including heart disease and obesity. However, as research has progressed, we’ve come to understand that not all fats are created equal.

Fats are an essential macronutrient that our bodies need for energy, insulation, and to absorb certain vitamins. But it’s essential to understand that not all fats are created equal. Some are beneficial to our health, while others can be detrimental.

In this guide, we’ll explore the differences between healthy fats and unhealthy fats and provide tips on how to incorporate more of the healthy fats into your diet.

Healthy Fats

These are unsaturated fats that are beneficial for our health. There are two types of healthy fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats are typically liquid at room temperature and come from plant-based sources such as nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.

Monounsaturated Fats

These are beneficial for our health as they can help reduce bad cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease. Foods that are high in monounsaturated fats include:

• Avocado
• Olive oil
• Nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans)
• Seeds (pumpkin, sesame, sunflower)
• Peanut butter

Polyunsaturated Fats

These are also beneficial for our health and come in two types: omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly beneficial as they can help reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Foods that are high in polyunsaturated fats include:

• Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna)
• Flaxseeds
• Chia seeds
• Walnuts
• Soybean oil
• Unhealthy Fats

Unhealthy Fats

Unhealthy fats are saturated and trans fats that are detrimental to our health. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature and come from animal-based sources such as meat and dairy products. Trans fats are found in processed foods and are created by adding hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils, making them more solid.

Consuming unhealthy fats can lead to numerous health issues, including heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

Foods that are high in unhealthy fats include:

• Red meat
• Butter
• Cheese
• Cream
• Processed foods (cakes, cookies, chips)
• Fast food

Tips for Incorporating Healthy Fats into Your Diet

Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Cook with olive oil or other healthy oils instead of butter or lard.
• Snack on nuts and seeds instead of chips and other processed snacks.
• Add avocado to your salads or smoothies.
• Eat fatty fish at least twice a week.
• Use nut butters instead of butter or cream cheese on toast or bagels.

Click here to see the full scientific article from REALSIMPLE.

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