New research has found that chocolate can cut the risk of heart disease by a third and it seems certain fats can be good for you as well.
TODAY nutritionist Joanna McMillan had all the details.
Main message: DON'T GO NO-FAT, GO GOOD FAT
The best strategy for losing weight isn't about eating a low-fat diet. It's the type of fat that really matters.
Good fats-such as omega-3 fats-are absolutely essential not only to your physical health but your emotional well-being.
Bad fats increase your cholesterol and your risk of certain diseases, while good fats have the opposite effect, protecting your heart and supporting overall health.
One key to achieving and maintaining a healthy heart and healthy weight is reducing the amount of unhealthy saturated fat in the Australian diet while increasing consumption of healthy unsaturated fats.
How much fat is too much depends on your lifestyle, your weight, your age and most importantly the state of your health.
Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats are known as the "good fats".
Reduce intake of saturated fats - found in animal products like red meat and whole dairy products. Poultry and fish also contain saturated fat, but less than red meat. Other sources of saturated fat include tropical vegetable oils such as coconut oil and palm oil.
FOUR MAJOR FATS:
- Monounsaturated fats
- Polyunsaturated fats
- Saturated fats
- Trans fats
TIPS:
Try to eliminate trans fats from your diet. Check food labels for trans fats. Avoiding commercially-baked goods goes a long way. Also limit fast food.
Limit your intake of saturated fats by cutting back on red meat and full-fat dairy foods. Try replacing red meat with beans, nuts, poultry, and fish whenever possible, and switching from whole milk and other full-fat dairy foods to lower fat versions.
Eat omega-3 fats every day. Good sources include fish, walnuts, ground flax seeds, flaxseed oil, canola oil, and soybean oil.
For more information visit www.drjoanna.com.au.
