You may assume that any reference to fat means that it’s not good for your health. However, you may be surprised to learn that there are some healthy fats that you should incorporate into your diet. If you’re curious about what fat is actually good for you, then read on to learn more.
What is fat?
Fat is simply a nutrient that your body needs to absorb vitamins and minerals. While you may have heard that fat is what makes your clothes fit tighter and various other health concerns, now the medical community understands that not all fat has this impact on the body.
Understanding good and bad fats
Fats can be categorized as good or bad fats based on what they provide your body. Bad fats have little nutritional value and can cause weight gain, among other health issues. Examples of bad fats include trans fats and saturated fats that can be found in sweets and processed foods. Good fats help your body function properly and help with things like mood management, reducing fatigue, and maintaining a healthy weight. Examples of good fats include unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids.
Foods that contain good fats
Now that you know more about good fats, you may be curious about which foods actually contain them. Some examples of good fats can be found in olive oil, avocados, and peanut butter–just to name a few.
Why you need good fats in your diet
As mentioned, there are many great health benefits to consuming good fats. Here we will discuss a few more specifics that good fats can offer for your health. Some benefits of good fats include:
- Lowers the risk of heart disease
- Reduces the risk of stroke
- Prevents abnormal heart rhythms
- Lowers blood pressure
- Lowers bad cholesterol levels
Are you consuming enough good fats?
The best way to identify if you’re eating enough good fats is to start by taking stock of your current diet. You may want to consider keeping a food diary for a period of time so that you can identify which foods you eat regularly and then learn more about their fat content. Share the findings with your doctor to better understand if your diet is on the right track. As always, make sure to consult with your doctor before making any changes to your diet.
