Fats are a major contributor to weight gain because they have a high-calorie content. If you are trying to gain weight, you may want to include some fats in your diet. Certain fats can be harmful to your health and contribute to heart disease, while others can actually make your heart healthier. Know which fats are best for your heart as you try to gain weight and stay healthy.
Canola, Olive and Peanut Oil
Canola oil is a monounsaturated fat, and according to womenshealth.gov, a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, monounsaturated fats should be included in your diet if you want to protect your heart from heart disease. Monounsaturated fats help bring down the level of bad cholesterol in your body. Canola oil can offer heart protection and help you gain weight at the same time since 1 tbsp. amounts to 123 calories. Olive oil and peanut oil are two other fats that come under the category of monounsaturated fats. Both of these oils contain about 114 calories per tablespoon.
Corn, Safflower and Sunflower Oils
Corn oil, safflower oil and sunflower oil are polyunsaturated fats. Polyunsaturated fats affect low-density lipoproteins, which is bad cholesterol, by bringing this type of cholesterol down. Polyunsaturated fats should be consumed in moderation since they also bring down good cholesterol. Although polyunsaturated fats are not better for you than monounsaturated fats, they do have some health benefits, and some contain essential fatty acids that are required for good health. Corn and safflower oils contain about 123 calories per tablespoon. Safflower oil contains about 114 calories per tablespoon.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Consume foods such as salmon, trout, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, flax seed and walnuts to help lessen your chances of developing heart disease and put on weight. These foods contain a significant amount of omega-3 oils. Omega-3 oils help to bring high-density lipoproteins up, which is the good cholesterol, and triglycerides down. Since consumption of omega-3 foods may raise your metabolism, it may be a good idea to limit your physical activity while trying to gain weight.
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