According to the American Heart Association (AHA), monounsaturated fats are considered the "good" or healthy fats, and should be chosen over saturated fats.
Chemistry
Monounsaturated fats have one double-bonded carbon molecule, and are liquid at room temperature but solid when cooled, according to the AHA.
Benefits
According to the AHA, monounsaturated fats lower blood cholesterol and help to prevent heart disease and stroke.
Food Sources
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nuts and vegetable oils are examples of food sources high in monounsaturated fats.
Caution
The AHA warns that individuals should limit intake of all fats as fatty foods are high in calories and can lead to possible health conditions such as obesity if consumed in high amounts.
Recommended Intake
Fats should comprise between 25 and 35 percent of daily caloric intake, says the AHA. Preferably, those fats should primarily be monounsaturated.
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