Types of Foods that Contain Lipids (And which to Limit)

Some examples of lipids that are good for you include polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats. These two types of unsaturated fats can help improve your blood cholesterol levels when eaten in moderation and used in place of saturated and trans fats, per the American Heart Association (AHA).

Tip

You should eat healthy fats every day, but you also need carbohydrates and proteins. Diets that emphasize any one of those nutrients over the others should be considered with a grain of salt. When you see that a food has fat, it doesn’t always mean you should seek a low-fat version.

If you're looking to eat more healthy fats, try a Mediterranean-style eating plan, per the Mayo Clinic.

1. Avocados

Avocados have a high ratio of unsaturated fat to saturated fat, per the USDA. They also have 50 percent of your daily recommended amount of fiber, which is linked to lower cholesterol.

2. Fatty Fish

Most fish have lots of lipids and protein, which your body needs. Fatty fish are the top source of omega-3 fats, a type of polyunsaturated fat that's linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, per the AHA.

The AHA recommends eating two servings of fatty fish — such as salmon, mackerel, herring, anchovies and sardines — per week.

3. Seeds and Nuts

Many seeds and nuts are good sources of lipids and protein. Almonds, pecans, pistachios, macadamia nuts, walnuts, peanuts, flax seeds, chia seeds and pumpkin seeds are all high in unsaturated fats with ample amounts of protein. Walnuts are also a good source of omega-3s.

Aim for unsalted or lightly salted nuts for a healthy snack. Limit them to a handful (about 1 ounce), and you'll give your body some good fats without too many calories. You can also add nuts to stir-fries and stews.

4. Plant-Based Oils

Oils are a valuable source of lipids and plant-based oils have more good-for-you unsaturated fats, while animal-based fats are mostly made up of saturated fat.

Opt for these healthy cooking oils when you're meal prepping, per the AHA:

• Olive oil
• Canola oil
• Avocado oil
• Corn oil
• Peanut oil
• Safflower oil
• Soybean oil
• Sunflower oil

Try stir-frying vegetables in a heart-healthy oil to get that fiber (from the veggies) and healthy lipids (from the oil) at the same time.

5. Eggs

Eggs are another food with proteins and lipids. They don't have much saturated fat (1.6 grams or 8 percent of your daily value per large egg), but they do have dietary cholesterol — and for years, people were advised to limit eating eggs for this reason.

But it turns out that the cholesterol in eggs doesn't affect the cholesterol in the blood for most people, according to the Mayo Clinic.

6. Full-Fat Dairy

If you can tolerate dairy, full-fat yogurt and cheese are a great way to get several nutrients. Full-fat dairy is high in saturated fat, but it can be eaten in moderation as part of a healthy diet.

What's more, many yogurts are full of probiotics, which are linked to better digestion, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

But note this: You're negating the benefits of yogurt if you choose one that's loaded with sugar. Stick to plain yogurt, and add your own fruit and natural sweeteners like honey. To add even more healthy fats, sprinkle nuts and seeds onto your yogurt.

7. Meat

Meat has lipids in the form of both saturated and unsaturated fats, depending on the type and cut.

Red meats — aka beef, pork and lamb — have more saturated fat than poultry and fish, according to the AHA. For example, a 3-ounce serving of steak has 26 percent of your daily value of saturated fat while a 3-ounce serving of salmon has just 5 percent of your daily value, per the USDA.

But that doesn't mean meat can't be part of a healthy diet — simply choose lean cuts.

Read more on: livestrong