Let's talk about fat!

Fat sounds like a four letter word when it comes to eating healthy, doesn't it?  But in fact, our bodies need certain fats in order to run properly - we just have to be careful when sorting through the good and the bad.

Good fat (monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids) can be found in nuts, leafy greens, oils like olive and canola, and seafood. Many products on the market today such as yogurt and orange juice are adding good fats to make them healthier, as well as multivitamins. These healthy fats help our bodies in many ways including reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke while helping to reduce symptoms of hypertension, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), joint pain and other rheumatoid problems, as well as certain skin ailments. Some research has even shown that omega-3s can boost the immune system and help protect us from an array of illnesses including Alzheimer's disease.

 Bad fat (saturated fats and trans fats) can be found in animal products, certain oils, and processed/fast foods.  These fats are responsible for heart disease, certain cancers, and a host of other health problems.

Children need to follow the rules of good/bad fats not only for good health as a child, but to build good habits that will keep them healthy as adults.  Many products on the market today have good fats added to the