After years of being treated with disdain, dietary fat has slowly been making its way off the nutritional black list. Now that omega-3 fatty acid is almost a household word, it is time to embrace the MUFAs — monounsaturated fatty acids. A diet rich in this type of fat has been found to reduce abdominal fat better than a diet high in carbs — even without exercise. In fact, this is the cornerstone of Prevention's Flat Belly Diet.

If you're dieting, don't fear the MUFAs; while they might not be the magic bullet for belly fat (even if you incorporate them into your diet, you still need to keep a watch on your caloric intake and exercise), they do make dieting easier. Full of fat-soluble vitamins, MUFAs are satisfying to eat and help you feel full and satiated, nipping in the bud two common complaints of dieters: boredom and hunger.

To learn where you can find the almost-mythic fatty acid, keep on reading.

Here is a list of foods containing MUFAs:

• avocado
• oils — olive, canola, flaxseed, safflower
• nuts and seeds — almonds, cashews, peanuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds
• olives

The list reads like a page out of the Mediterranean diet to me. Like all foods, especially fats, it is important to watch your portions. MUFAs are great for you, but you must eat them in moderation to feel the benefits, especially if you're aiming to flatten your belly.