The best and worst fats for your body

If you're looking to adopt a cholesterol-friendly diet, fat isn't a bad word, say Marc Gillinov, MD, and Steven Nissen, MD, authors of Heart 411: The Only Guide to Heart Health You'll Ever Need. “The idea that fat is bad for your heart is simply incorrect," they explain.

In fact, your body needs fat. What matters most is the type of fat you put on your plate. Healthy fats—the unsaturated kind—can help lower your total cholesterol and "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. They also help boost your "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels.

Here's what you should know about fats, including which to limit or avoid, the healthiest kinds to enjoy, and tasty ways to add good fats to your diet.