Healthy Fats🥑🥜

Ok so we all love to eat fats, right? Maybe you don’t know that what you’re eating is an essential nutrient for your health- and it’s FAT!  While various fats in foods effect health differently, many sources of fat offer health-protective benefits. Of course we want to eat them in moderation and have a little portion control 🤔Here are some of the most commonly eaten and often craved essential fats:

Omega-3 Fats

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid that may help to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

What to Eat

Fatty Fish: Current dietary guidelines recommend including seafood twice per week. Fish high in omega-3 fats include salmon, herring, sardines, mackerel and lake trout.

Walnuts: Walnuts are an excellent plant-based source of omega-3. Add walnuts to cereal, salads or muffins. Try walnut oil in salad dressings or drizzled over cooked pasta.

Oils: Replace solid fats such as butter or margarine with oils such as canola, avocado, olive, coconut or soybean when cooking or baking. They also work well for sautéing and stir-frying.

Flaxseed: Add ground flaxseed to breakfast cereal, yogurt, baked goods including breads and muffins or mixed dishes and casseroles. Or, drizzle flaxseed oil over cooked grains or use it for salad dressing. (Your body cannot break down whole flaxseeds, so it must be ground first in order to access the omega-3 fatty acids.)

Eggs: Some chickens are given feed that is high in omega-3s so their eggs will contain more as well. When buying eggs, check the package label. Y’all know I love my eggs!! 💁🏼‍♀️

Monounsaturated Fats

Monounsaturated fats may improve blood cholesterol levels and decrease your risk of heart disease.

What to Eat

Nuts: In addition to heart-healthy fats, nuts are a good source of protein, dietary fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Just keep portion control in mind🤪One portion of nuts is equal to 1 ounce or 2 ounce-equivalents provides approximately 160 to 180 calories. So, don’t keep grabbing handfuls of nuts=lots of calories 🤭

Oils: Use oils such as olive  and avocado oil in place of saturated fat, such as butter. Use it in salad dressing or to sauté vegetables, seafood, poultry and meat.

Avocado: Avocados not only contain monounsaturated fat, but they are also packed with folate, vitamins E, C and B6, potassium and dietary fiber. Try adding avocado to salad, pizza, soup, salsa, eggs and sandwiches.

Peanut Butter: Nearly half the fat in peanut butter is monounsaturated fat. Resist the urge to pour off the heart-healthy oil that's separated out of natural peanut butter, and mix it in.

A nutritious eating plan doesn't mean cutting out all fat, just focusing on healthier varieties. Start out with small swaps if you're having trouble getting started. In my customized programs I will incorporate fats into your diet. You will learn portions and control without deprivation or feeling like you’re not eating tasty foods😋