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What Are MUFAs? | Ask the Fitness Nerd

November 9, 2008 on 10:46 am | By Matt | In Ask The Fitness Nerd | No Comments

What’s a MUFA? The Fitness Nerd explains what this funny acronym means and why MUFAs are suddenly the rage among dieters.

Dear Fitness Nerd:

What are MUFAs? I keep hearing people talk about them, but I still haven’t quite figured out what they are. I know they are a type of fat, but I thought fats were unhealthy and should be avoided. Are they a supplement of some type like CLA? - Kayla R, (West Hollywood, CA)

MUFAs are an acronym for a “monounsaturated fatty acids” — a class of healthy fats found in foods like nuts and seeds, avocados, olives and certain vegetable oils. MUFAs are not typically taken as a supplement (as Conjugated linoleic acid or CLA often is), since they are plentiful in foods. 

MUFAs have gotten a lot of attention recently for three reasons:

1. MUFAs may help you lose weight.

There is some evidence that people who regularly consume MUFAs have lower body fat levels and are more successful at dropping body fat and weight than people who are on low-fat, carbohydrate rich diets.

This research flies in the face of  the conventional-wisdom that drove the low-fat craze of the 80s and 90s, which advised people to reduce their fat consumption as much as possible in order to lose weight, lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of stroke, high-blood pressure and heart disease. The latest research actually suggests that diets which are higher in healthy fats like MUFAs may be more effective at weight-control than low-fat diets.

2. MUFAs may reduce the risk of disease.

A growing body of research shows that MUFAs may not only help people lose fat, but that they also have protective properties that may lower the risk of developing certain diseases, including Type II Diabetes, heart disease, stroke and possibly certain types of cancers. MUFAs are also part of The Portfolio Diet, which is an approach to eating that combines MUFAs with other cholesterol-lowering foods like soy, plant sterols and soluble fiber from things like oatmeal and may reduce blood cholesterol-levels as effectively as prescription statin drugs.

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Healthy No Bake Cookies | Healthy Recipes

April 2, 2008 on 7:45 pm | By Matt | In Healthy Eating, Healthy Recipes & Snacks | 1 Comment

This heart-smart, no bake cookie recipe will satisfy your sweet tooth and help keep you lean and healthy.

Got a chocolate craving you just can’t make go away?

Try this healthy version of the traditional no bake cookie when fruit alone won’t solve your cravings. 

Loaded with protein, soluble fiber from oats and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats from the peanut butter, this is a great substitute for a sports or nutrition bar, which are often high in sugar and high-fructose corn syrup.

The best part is you can mix this recipe up in less than five minutes, and eat it straight from the bowl (go ahead, it’s GOOD for you) or refrigerate it for a great, healthy snack the next day. 

Healthy No Bake Cookies

Ingredients

1 packet Kashi Instant Heart to Heart Golden Maple Oatmeal
1 tbs natural peanut butter
1 scoop chocolate whey powder
2-3 tbs water
1 tbs organic, unsweetened coconut (optional)
1 tbs salted, chopped peanuts (optional)

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the first four ingredients and mix thoroughly.
2. Eat directly from the bowl, or cover a plate with waxed paper, spoon out the batter on to the waxed paper, sprinkle with coconut and refrigerate until firm.

Also, if you like a sweet and salty flavor, add 1 tablespoon of chopped or whole salted peanuts.

Nutritional Information

Serving Size: One recipe

Calories 389.8
Total Fat 10.6 g
Saturated Fat 1.5 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.4 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 191.0 mg
Potassium 399.0 mg
Total Carbohydrate 47.1 g
Dietary Fiber 5.7 g
Sugars 23.6 g
Protein 27.7 g

Vitamin and Mineral Information

Vitamin A 25.0 %
Vitamin B-12 100.1 %
Vitamin B-6 100.7 %
Vitamin C 50.1 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 0.0 %
Calcium 1.8 %
Copper 5.4 %
Folate 100.0 %
Iron 11.9 %
Magnesium 24.8 %
Manganese 76.4 %
Niacin 3.0 %
Pantothenic Acid 2.2 %
Phosphorus 2.9 %
Riboflavin 3.6 %
Selenium 0.0 %
Thiamin 11.3 %
Zinc 10.1 %

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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