Healthy Tip: Know Good Fats from the Bad

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Did you know that there are different kinds of fat in foods?

There is “bad” fat, which are the ones called saturated or trans fats when you read a label. These aren’t good for your heart. Then there are “good” kinds, which are called unsaturated fats. You might see the words “monounsaturated” or “polyunsaturated” on food labels. These are good! They make you feel full and all of the cells in your body actually need them to survive. Next time you’re at the store, try some of them and see if you like them.

Here are some foods that have good fats:

  • Nuts and seeds — Try adding walnuts to your salad for a yummy and crunchy alternative to croutons. Or, sprinkle the top with sunflower seeds.
  • Avocados or guacamole — Add sliced avocado to a grilled chicken sandwich for a creamy alternative to mayonnaise
  • Fish — Fatty fish like salmon and tuna are high in Omega 3 fatty acids, which are good for your health.
  • Olive oil — Try to cook with olive oil instead of butter. Olive oil has a great flavor and, unlike butter, is unsaturated