Healthy Fats

Healthy fat is an important part of our diets. Polyunsaturated fats such as olive oil and canola oil are an essentail factor in reducing the incidence of heart disease.

Studies have shown that healthy fats, such as olive oil, also help us maintain a healthy weight and are important in weight loss diets. That's the reason Weightwatchers has 2 teaspoons olive oil as an important daily requirement.

Fats do provide twice the calories as carbs and proteins, so it's important not to consume too much fat and limit saturated fats found in dairy products and meats.

One of my favorite ways to use olive oil is in Sweet Potato Oven Fries.

Sweet Potato Oven Fries (serves 2)

1 sweet potato (about 12 ounces)peeled and cut into wedges
2 teaspoons olive oil
Coarse salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Lightly spray a baking sheet. Toss the sweet potatoes with the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place on baking sheet.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender. I usually bake until the potatoes begin to brown.