There are several different types of vegetarian diets. Some vegetarians only consume foods from plants. Others consume plant foods, dairy products and eggs. Because vegetarian diets avoid meat, they tend to be lower in saturated fat than non-vegetarian diets. However, there are certain high-fat foods that can be wreak havoc on even a vegetarian diet.
Cheese
According to nutritiondata.com, one slice of cheddar or American cheese contains 3g of saturated fat. Since most dietary sources of saturated fat are from meat sources, vegetarians can indulge in cheese without too much worry. However, cheesy dishes such as macaroni and cheese or quesadillas often contain more than a day's worth of saturated fat and should be consumed sparsely if at all. If you consume a lot of dairy products, consider looking for low- or non-fat options.
French Fries
French fries, especially those purchased in restaurants and from fast food chains, are typically loaded with trans and saturated fat. Trans fat poses a double health risk because it raises your bad cholesterol and lowers your good cholesterol, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you have a French fry craving, try slicing a potato--bonus point if you use a sweet potato because they contain additional nutrients--sprinkling it with olive oil and sea salt and baking it in the oven. Preparing French fries in this manner completely eliminates trans fat. Plus, the olive oil provides a dose of healthy, unsaturated fat.
Ice Cream
Ice cream is another source of saturated fat. Depending on the brand, it's also likely high in sugar. Indulging in a cup or cone every now and then won't wreak too much havoc on your diet, but don't make this a nightly treat. You may also want to consider a low-fat variety or try frozen yogurt instead.
Avocados
You might have heard that avocados are high in fat, but don't be alarmed. Avocados contain heart-healthy, unsaturated fat. The American Heart Association notes that the majority of your daily fat intake should come from this type of fat. At 22g of unsaturated fat per cup, according to nutritiondata.com, avocados make an excellent dietary choice for meeting these requirements. They are also a dietary source of several important nutrients, including fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium, iron and protein. So, yes, they're high in fat, but vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike can benefit from adding avocados to the diet.
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