Most of us have learned that we should avoid having fats in our diet – that a diet rich in fats will increase our risks for obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other medical conditions. It’s important to remember, however, that not all fats are bad for us. As a matter of fact, you can’t have a healthy diet without eating fats!

Fats can be divided into saturated and unsaturated fats. Saturated fats have been linked to increased risk for heart disease and other medical conditions. Foods rich in saturated fats include cream, cheese, coconut oil, and chocolate. Unsaturated fats are healthier for us; so it’s good to replace saturated fats in your diet with unsaturated fats. For example, two-thirds of the fat in butter is saturated, compared with only 14 percent in olive oil. So substituting olive oil for butter in your recipes can give you more of the healthy fats you need.

Important fats to have in your diet are omega-3 fatty acids. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include fish, like herring, salmon, sardines, trout, and tuna. Omega-3 fatty acids are important for brain health, which is why fish is called a brain food. Omega-3’s promote good bone health and reduce inflammation – helping to reduce your risk for arthritis and osteoporosis. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for your heart. For this reason, the American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week.

Don’t like fish? That’s okay – watch the video Fit As Fido in the Kitchen and learn easy and delicious ways to readily add omega-3’s to your diet.

About the author
Dawn A. Marcus, MD is a medical doctor and professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She also serves as medical expert to Del Monte’s Power of Paws program, which promotes better human health through pet companionship. She is an internationally-recognized speaker, educator, and author, receiving the National Headache Foundation Media Excellence Award. Dr. Marcus has written nine medical books, including her latest book, Fit As Fido: Follow Your Dog to Better Health. Visit her websites
www.dawnmarcusmd.com and www.fitasfido.com.