Have you ever cut back on fat or eaten fat-free foods in order to lose weight?
Remember those hunger pains just a couple of hours after eating? How you just couldn’t stop thinking about your next meal? How your cravings seemed to be getting worse, because you were denying yourself what you really wanted?
It turns out that we all need fats in order to maintain a healthy diet. Fats help your body to function properly, keep your skin soft, and help you feel satisfied after eating, among many, many other benefits.
Not only that, but fats enhance flavor--in other words, they make your food taste good! (No wonder we crave them all the time!)
This is what many people often overlook: Some fats are good for you, but some are not.
First, the bad: You’ve probably heard of saturated fat or trans fat, both of which are bad for you. These fats raise bad cholesterol levels in your body and can lead to scary things like heart disease and stroke. These are the fats you want to stay far, far away from.
The good news is that you can feel satisfied without letting those harmful fats into your body. You can fill up on good fats, called monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which can lower bad cholesterol levels and help you shed unwanted pounds.
Here are 3 delicious foods rich in healthy fats that will satisfy your cravings:
1. Peanut Butter
This delicious nut butter is not only a great source of good fat, but it also nourishes your body with energy-boosting protein and fiber.
Peanut butter is a great “lazy” snack--you can eat it by the spoonful, slather it over bananas or wheat bread, roll it with oats and honey as an “energy bite,” or blend it into smoothies! The possibilities are endless.
If peanuts aren’t your thing, you can try other nut butters made from almonds or walnuts, which have the same health-boosting benefits. Try to choose butters made from a few natural ingredients with no added sugar.
2. Almonds
Nuts are a great source of protein and fat, and they’re easy to prep, pack, and take on the go.
Almonds are an especially good source of healthy fats, and as an added bonus, they give you lots of calcium, protein and fiber.
You can snack on nutrient-rich raw nuts, or you can supplement your diet with other almond-based foods like almond milk, almond flour, and almond butter.
Imagine how your favorite baked goods could be transformed into healthy, fat-busting treats by replacing flour and milk with almond varieties. (You can find almond-friendly versions of your favorite treats on Pinterest or healthy recipe sites.)
3. Avocado
Avocados may be a millennial's best friend. It seems that everyone and their mom is eating avocado toast these days!
The reason why we love avocados so much is because of their high amount of good fat--it tastes good and makes you feel super satisfied, too.
Not only do avocados pack in lots of good fat, but they also give you protein and fiber without too much sugar or sodium.
Enjoy avocados mashed or sliced over toast with a pinch of salt or seasonings, add it to a fiber-rich green salad, blend it into a smoothie, or just scoop it out with a spoon!
---
---
These 3 foods rich in healthy fat can transform your diet and give you the boost you need to blast away unwanted pounds. Remember that you can be satisfied and lose weight.
Let us know your favorite healthy fat and how you like to eat it in the comments below!
No comments