8 Healthy Fats You Should Be Eating
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Walnuts
Walnuts have earned their superfood status in part because of their fats. They are one of the few foods to deliver alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fat thought to protect against heart disease. Toast them to bring out their flavor and extra crunch, then sprinkle about a tablespoon on yogurt or fold some into muffins or your morning oatmeal.
By Kerri-Ann Jennings, M.S., R.D.
Olives
Olive oil is a great way to get monounsaturated fats in your diet, but so are olives. They also deliver plant sterols — compounds that can lower "bad" LDL cholesterol. Olives can be pretty high in sodium, but you can take away some of that salt by soaking them in fresh water.
Avocados
Canola Oil
Canola oil is an excellent heart-healthy choice for cooking. It’s loaded with monounsaturated fats, which can raise your "good" cholesterol (HDL) and lower your "bad" cholesterol (LDL). It’s particularly good for cooking at high temperatures, since it has a higher smoke point than olive oil.
Peanut Butter
Salmon
As an "oily" fish, salmon has lots of DHA and EPA — two kinds of omega-3 fats that can reduce inflammation, lowering risk of skin cancer and heart disease. Want an alternative to salmon? Trout, mackerel, sardines and herring are all good choices for getting DHA and EPA into your diet.