Foods High in Healthy Fat
If you would have asked most people even just a decade ago about ‘healthy fat’ they would have laughed. For over a generation people were told that all fat is bad for you, and this is a hard piece of misinformation to counter. In recent years, a lot of information has come out about the different kinds of fats, and which ones are essential for maintaining a healthy weight and overall healthy body. For those who are ready to set aside sugar filled, highly processed, fat-free foods for healthier (and better tasting) alternatives, this post is for you. Choosing the right foods that are high in healthy fat can help you to lose weight and become healthier than ever before. Read through the following list and select a few of your favorites to add to your standard diet routine.
Yogurt (the FULL FAT kind)
Yogurt has been seen as a health food for a very long time. Most people grab the ‘99% fat-free’ yogurts, which are very unhealthy. These options are filled with sugars and don’t have as many of the health benefits that most people thought it would. Choosing a full-fat yogurt will help improve your overall digestive health thanks to the probiotic bacteria that is in each cup. Many studies have also linked full fat yogurt to overall improvements in heart health and reduced obesity. (see the studies:
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Coconut Oil (or Coconuts in General)
Coconut oil is becoming very popular thanks to all of its incredible
health benefits. When comparing it to vegetable oil, it is difficult to see why anyone would ever buy the unhealthy vegetable oil again. Coconuts are loaded with saturated fats, with right around 90% of the total fat in them being saturated.
Studies have shown that communities that consume coconuts often have excellent health. The type of fat in coconuts and coconut oil help people to feel
fuller more quickly, and for longer. They can also help to
boost the metabolism, so you’re burning more calories throughout the day. Perhaps the best thing about coconuts is that they can
help you lose belly fat, which is one of the most difficult areas for people to shed unwanted pounds.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
While talking about healthy oils, it is important to mention olive oil. When choosing olive oil it is important to be careful about the brand and type you select. The olive oil market is largely unregulated, which means many options you see on the shelf are spoiled or not even 100% olive oil at all. When you do find a good quality extra virgin olive oil, you will enjoy the incredible health benefits. Olive oil is a big part of the
Mediterranean diet, which
studies have shown to be extremely healthy due to the focus on lots of healthy fat content. Part of this is thanks to the antioxidants found in the fats, which have been
shown to help keep blood from becoming oxidized.
Most Types of Nuts
Whether you like almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts or something else entirely, you’ll be getting a good amount of healthy fat. Just be careful not to buy nuts that were roasted in vegetable or soy oils as those could have some adverse effects on your health. In addition to the healthy fat, nuts will also provide you good amounts of vitamin E, magnesium, and fiber, all of which are essential for a healthy diet. Nuts are also linked to lower rates of obesity, heart disease and even diabetes. (Studies:
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Eggs (Whole Eggs, Not just Egg Whites)
Whole eggs are considered by many people to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet. They contain almost everything one would need in order live. While they were once thought to be unhealthy because of the high levels of cholesterol and fat, they are now known to be good for you. The cholesterol in eggs doesn’t
impact the cholesterol in the blood stream at all, which is important. Eggs have even been
linked directly to helping people lose weight because they have lots of protein and healthy fats, which help you to feel full more quickly and want to eat less often.
Butter (BUTTER – NOT Margarine!)
Butter was thought to be very unhealthy for many years, which is why so many ‘butter alternatives’ are on the market today. Studies are showing, that real butter is extremely healthy for you. It has lots of Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help your brain to function better and keep you healthy. On top of butter being good for you, margarine has been shown to be quite bad for you because it is made with vegetable oil. Whether for cooking or spreading, sticking with all natural butter (organic if possible) is an excellent option.
Avocados
Avocado is a fruit, but unlike most fruits, it is high in healthy fat and low in natural sugars. Avocado is higher in most healthy fats than meat with 77% of
calories being from fat. The fat is primarily
oleic acid, which is similar to that which is found in olive oil and can provide you with many great health benefits. Avocado
helps to raise the good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol too, making it a great addition to any diet.
Eat Fat to Stay Healthy
As you can see, there are many options available for adding healthy fats to your diet. Most people can find quite a few delicious options to add to their meals each day, and will get a lot of excellent health benefits from them.
