monounsaturated fat

noun

plural monounsaturated fats

: an unsaturated fat that has one double bond in its hydrocarbon chain, that is liquid at room temperature, and that is found especially in olive oil, avocados, and many nuts and seeds (such as peanuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds)

Rather than drastically limiting either fat or carbs, I advise everyone to eat healthier carbohydrates—whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables—that are lower on the glycemic index, and to rely on healthy fats like monounsaturated fat (found in olive oil) and omega-3 fatty acids (in salmon, walnuts, and flax seeds).

—Andrew Weil

Almond butter is beloved for its nutty, naturally sweet flavor, high protein content, and for its deliciously thick texture. Plus, it contains lots of vitamin E, biotin, manganese, copper, and magnesium—as well as healthy monounsaturated fats.

—Lulu Chang

compare polyunsaturated fat, saturated fat

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

monounsaturated fat

noun

: an unsaturated fat that has one double bond in its hydrocarbon chain, that is liquid at room temperature, and that is found especially in olive oil, avocados, and many nuts and seeds (such as peanuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds)

… cross-sectional findings from a large population sample suggest that consumption of butter may detrimentally affect coronary risk factors, while polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats may be associated with a lower coronary risk profile.

—Maurizio Trevisan et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association

compare polyunsaturated fat, saturated fat