Even though I was a vegetarian, my doctor was already worried about my unusually high cholesterol (close to 240!) and high blood pressure. I had a family history of heart problems — my grandfather died at age 54 from a heart attack. At age 37, my future wasn't looking so good.
Instead of eating saturated fat, I focussed on more unsaturated fats like nuts, olive oil, and eating plenty of this creamy pesto pasta made with avocado. My doctor was shocked at how within a few months of ditching dairy, I got those numbers under control. Four years later, my stats are still looking great.