FoodBozo.com

By RealAge, Yahoo! Editorial Team

Remember when any fat was bad fat? When the only difference between a croissant and Krispy Kreme was snob appeal? Now that science has happpily found that some fats are good fats, it’s all about avoiding the bad guys. But if sorting out omega-3s from sat fats makes you want to drown your frustration in a quarter-pounder and fries (a whopping 56 grams of the ickiest stuff), here’s a simple list that rates fats from the top dog to don’t-even-think-about-it.

TOP FATS: THE OMEGA-3s
Among the best fats on the planet, omega-3s add years to your life by dramatically reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. They may also stave off arthritis, depression, some cancers, and even tame menstrual cramps and post-workout soreness. Looking for clear, soft skin, and great hair? Omega-3s do that too.

Eat these frequently:

• Fatty fish, such as wild salmon, sardines, herring, and tuna
• Flax seeds and flax seed oil
• Walnuts
• Canola oil and leafy greens (modest amounts)

(more…)

Contributed by Marlene Veloso

We have been adding butter to recipes for generations. It has not only become an ingredient to many recipes, but it also makes a great addition to topping bread. The truth is, butter is made from milk that contains saturated fat from animal products.

Saturated fats may keep their form nicely sitting in your refrigerator, but they are the main culprits when it comes to high cholesterol and inflammation of the arteries, which lead to heart disease. Margarine on the other hand is an artificial trans fat created from vegetable oils.

These trans fats are actually worse on your body than the fats from butter. Trans fats may also effect your immune system and susceptibility to asthma and allergies.

So what other alternatives to butter and margarine are there to reduce unhealthy fats that cause havoc on our bodies?

• Olive, canola, and grape seed oils are all healthy alternatives for cooking and do not contain saturated or trans fats.
• Replace the butter added to baked potatoes with salsa. It is a great away to spice it up and is full of vegetables that are good for you.
• Instead of adding butter or margarine to vegetables, sprinkle lemon juice, nutmeg, or olive oil over food for added flavour without the added unhealthy fats.
• Mix up olive oil with vinegar for a bread dipping alternative.
• Use walnut oil to add flavour to cinnamon toast.
• Some soft margarine comes in an alternative option that shows trans-fat-free on the label.