Food For Your Well-being | Fats Matter

Fats provide essential nutrients, enhance flavor, and increase satiety — but not all fats are created equal. Learn which fats to keep and which to ditch for a healthy heart.

Help your body get the most out of the fats you eat:

• Fats are important. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Eating healthy plant-based fats can help reduce the risk of heart disease — as long as you also limit those found in processed foods and derived from land animal sources.
• Aim for these fats from (mostly) plants. Nuts, seeds, avocados, and olives (and all the oils derived from them), along with fatty fish, support short and long-term health.
• Plant fats are beneficial to your health. From a healthy heart to bright skin and a powerful brain, plant fats add much more than just calories to your plate.
• Keep an eye on the calories. Just because it’s plant-based fat doesn’t mean you should go nuts with the nuts, for example. Use fat strategically to add flavor and texture to your meals while sticking to your calorie goals.