Many women have been led to believe that dietary fat is unhealthy and will contribute to weight gain. But fats are a necessary part of a healthy diet. What really matters are the types of fat you eat.
Women need healthy fats in their diet to look and feel great
- Healthy fats boost your brain power and mood. Fats are essential to healthy brain function. They put you in a good mood and keep you mentally sharp.
- Healthy fats promote healthy pregnancies. When you’re pregnant, both you and your growing baby need healthy fat to feel your best. Fat is especially important to your baby’s developing brain and nervous system.
- Healthy fats contribute to lifelong beauty. Fats are essential for vibrant, glowing skin, hair, and nails. A lack of healthy fats in your diet can lead to dull, flaky skin, brittle nails, and dry or easily-damaged hair.
- Healthy fats help control cravings. Because fat is so dense in calories, a little goes a long way in making you feel full. Small amounts of good fats like nuts or seeds make great satisfying snacks.
- Fats lower the glycemic index of foods, easing the spike in blood sugar that results from eating carbohydrates.
- You need fat in order to absorb certain vitamins. Many important vitamins—including vitamins A, D, E, and K—are fat-soluble, meaning you need fat in your system in order to absorb them.
Choosing healthy fats
Rather than cutting fat out of your diet, make smart choices about the types of fat you eat. Saturated fat and trans fat—the “bad fats”—increase your risk for certain diseases, including heart disease and stroke. But polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats—the “good fats”—actually contribute to your health and vitality, support your mood, and help you maintain a healthy weight.
Foods rich in healthy fats include:
- olive and canola oil
- olives
- nuts
- fish and seafood
- peanut butter
- avocados
Good vs. bad fats
Saturated fat and trans fats are generally bad for your arteries, heart, and waistline. But unsaturated, healthy fats are essential for a well-functioning mind and body. Because our bodies don’t make some of the most important of these essential fats, we have to go out of our way to get them.