You don’t have to fear fat.
This macronutrient helps keep you fuller longer and it’s linked to everything from reduced belly fat to improved heart health to superior cognitive function – depending on the type.
And it’s not just the poly- and monounsaturated fats found in olive oil, avocados, and nuts – or the omega-3s found in fatty fish like sardines and salmon – that can be good for you.
Many doctors and nutritionists say that saturated fat has a place in a healthy diet, and that whole, unprocessed foods containing high amounts of it can actually improve cholesterol quality, cognitive function, and metabolism.
It’s not just the fat itself that’s good for you, though – naturally fatty whole foods tend to be loaded with other health-promoting nutrients like vitamin K2 and choline that are hard to find elsewhere.
So eat more fat, just make sure it’s the right kind. Here are 10 fatty, nutrient-packed options that nutritionists love.