Back in the day, we were told to avoid fat like the plague. This led to the popularity of processed, low-fat foods that we thought were great for health. And we ate them by the barrel full.
Fast forward a couple of decades, and we’ve got a whole new outlook on fats. That’s because we now know that eating right includes eating the right kinds of fats.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are two types of unhealthy fats: saturated and trans fats. Saturated fats raise “bad cholesterol” levels and the risk of Type 2 diabetes and are found in some animal products. Trans fats are another unhealthy type of fat. These “bad” fats are added to processed foods by way of partial hydrogenation.
There are also three really good, heart-healthy types of fats: monounsaturated fatty acids, omega-3s and polyunsaturated fatty acids. They’re found in foods like fish, certain oils, nuts and seeds.
So just what are we trying to say here?
When it comes to being healthy, you’ve got to learn which foods contain the types of fats you need. And adding these fats to your diet can be both fun and easy.
So just which high-fat foods are actually good for you? Here are nine great easy-to-add options.
- Almonds
Almonds and good health are a well-known pair. That’s because almonds are filled with nutrition. According to Authority Nutrition, almonds are an antioxidant powerhouse. These important elements of health neutralize free radicals, which are associated with age. In addition, almonds are rich in vitamin E, which may lower the risk of cancer and even Alzheimer’s disease. Almonds are also said to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, making them great when it comes to heart health.