The role of good fats in a balanced diet (and 5 ways to get more of them in yours)

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Good fats are part of a smart diet, yet most people don't get enough of them each day. Despite what you may think, there is a good way to consume fats! Good fats are a source of energy and essential fatty acids that your body can't create on its own. Plus, they help support healthy cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range. Multiple studies show that reducing your intake of saturated fats while replacing them with a similar amount of good fats (the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated kind) may help reduce the risk of heart disease -- and who wouldn't want that?

So, how can you make sure you're getting more of these good fats in your diet? The "Good Fat 5" are foods that are sources of them, including plant-based oils found in buttery spreads, nuts, seeds, avocado and fish. Buttery spread like I Can't Believe It's Not Butter is one ingredient you can use to incorporate the right fats into your routine.

Our contributors know how to make good fats part of meals and snacks every day, and they've created recipes that show just how easy it is. From a flavorful grilled chicken dish to sweet banana blueberry muffins, you'll be prepared to start adding good fats to any meal throughout the day.

Check out the slideshow below for recipes that can help you get more good fats into your diet:

You can learn more about good fats and find more delicious good fat recipes on http://www.icantbelieveitsnotbutter.com/.