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Health & Fitness

Why you should (must!) eat fat

By Pauline Weismann, MS, CNS
Certified Nutrition Specialist
Salud Integrative Medicine

Yep, you read right! Adding fats to your diet is good for you—even healthy! For many Americans, the diet fads of the 80s are fresh in our minds when it comes to fats. For example, products are touted as “Low Fat” or “Non Fat,” while in actuality we should all strive to get enough good fat. Why? Because good fats:

•    Are responsible for lining every cell in our body
•    Allow us to absorb fat soluble vitamins: A, D, E & K
•    Are fundamental to building hormones
•    Are the primary fuel source for brain cells
•    Are heart-healthy
•    Help lubricate your joints
•    Give your skin a healthy glow
•    (the list goes on…)

So, what should you pay heed to in your diet? Aim to limit fried foods, commercial meats, processed meat (bologna, salami, pepperoni, etc), vegetable shortening, and margarine. Add from the list of good fats below.

•    cold water fish
•    organic eggs
•    grass-fed beef
•    extra virgin olive oil
•    raw nuts and seeds
•    avocado

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