When consuming fats, the healthiest choice is foods high in unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats, which include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, are beneficial for heart health and can help improve cholesterol levels when they replace saturated and trans fats in the diet.
Foods rich in unsaturated fats include:
- Avocados
- Nuts and seeds
- Olive oil and other vegetable oils
- Fatty fish (like salmon, mackerel, and sardines)
It's advisable to limit saturated fats, found in foods like red meat and full-fat dairy products, and to avoid trans fats, which are often found in processed foods. Cholesterol itself is found in animal products and is best consumed in moderation.