Monounsaturated fats can have a beneficial effect on your health when eaten in moderation and when used to replace saturated fats or trans fats.  Monounsaturated fats can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.  They also provide nutrients to help develop and maintain your body’s cells.  Monounsaturated fats are also typically high in vitamin E, an antioxidant vitamin most Americans need more of.

Yes.  Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats can have a positive effect on your health, when eaten in moderation.  The bad fats – saturated fats and trans fats – can negatively affect your health.

Monounsaturated fats – like all fats – contain nine calories per gram.

The fats in the foods you eat should not total more than 25–35 percent of the calories you eat in a given day...and, for good health, the majority of those fats should be monounsaturated or polyunsaturated.  Eat foods containing monounsaturated fats and/or polyunsaturated fats instead of foods that contain saturated fats and/or trans fats.  For practical tips, check out the Nutrition Center.