3 Reasons (Healthy!) Fat is Not the Enemy

Fats have gotten a bad rap over the years and while certain ones deserve it (like artery-clogging trans fats found in fried foods and baked goods), others are considered healthy fats. Your body needs healthy fat to function at its best. The Nutrisystem program is designed to incorporate healthy fats and essential nutrients into everyday meals and snacks.

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Here are three reasons why you need to fit healthy fat into your diet:

1. Healthy fat is good for your heart.

The ones that fall into the heart-healthy category are monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids—both types of unsaturated fats that help lower cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Good sources of monounsaturated fats are olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, avocados and most nut butters. Omega-3s—which have also been shown to help lower triglyceride levels—are found in fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel and sardines, as well as walnuts and flax seeds.

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2. They help your body use nutrients.

Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble. That means your intestines need fat to absorb these nutrients in your body. Fat is also key to building healthy cells, as it’s a vital part of the membrane that surrounds each cell; without a healthy membrane, the rest of the cell can’t function. Your body also uses fat for brain development, controlling inflammation and blood clotting.

3. Fat is a major source of energy.

All fats—healthy and unhealthy—contain nine calories per gram; that’s more than double the calories in carbs and protein. Eating foods with a moderate amount of fat is part of a healthy diet, but watch your portions to help keep your calories in check. Aim to eat more vegetables, fruits, whole-grain/high-fiber foods, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, poultry and fish—this will help keep your diet lower in unhealthy fats and higher in the healthy kind. Nutrisystem allows you to eat normal, everyday meals and snacks that are nutrient-rich with healthy fats.

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