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Myth: All Fats Will Make You Fat

If you judged all food by its packaging, you might start to believe that low-fat is totally where it's at, for healthy eating. While you may feel good -- great even -- about purchasing the low-fat meal in the freezer, you could be much better off buying a hunk of organic, sustainable, grass-fed beef from the butcher. After all, how satiated are you going to feel after that tiny frozen dinner, compared to a grass-fed steak and a side of sautéed greens? And let's not forget fat is actually necessary for vitamin absorption, and a host of other health benefits. There are great fats that are necessary for your body to function, that can actually improve your health and help you lose weight. These, and more benefits might surprise you.

Here are three fantastic fats you should add to your diet, without guilt.

Ghee, or Clarified Butter

When choosing your fat in which to cook vegetables, or even your scrambled eggs, it’s always a great idea to reach for the ghee. All of the flavor (and more!) of butter without the saturated fats, clarified butter is also believed to boost the immune system and help digestion.  

Omega-3 Fats

Whether it’s a grass-fed steak, or a polyunsaturated fat like salmon or trout, your omega-3s are found in these entrees. While it may sound totally scary, if you replace trans- or saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats, you actually are doing your brain a favor. Eaten in moderation, this omega-6 and omega-3 heavy fat is also a fantastic excuse to grill up your salmon or trout for dinner, with a side of toasted sunflowers.

Monounsaturated Fats

Don’t feel guilty about slathering peanut butter on your celery sticks or your finger. Those monounsaturated fats have another bonus, especially for those of you trying to lose weight. Monounsaturated fats have been shown to reduce belly weight, especially in contrast to high carbohydrate diets. Olive oil and coconut oil will also do the trick!

So eat up these fats with vigor, and enjoy better health.