Evidence-based nutrition, in plain English — every entry sourced from clinical research.

Foods High in Monounsaturated Fat

If you are trying to eat more Monounsaturated Fat, ranked lists are useful because the best options are often not the most obvious ones. The foods below are ordered by Monounsaturated Fat content in g per 100 g, drawn from the foods in our database.

Remember: ranking by one nutrient is only one way to choose foods. Pairing matters too. Use the Monounsaturated Fat compound page to understand absorption, forms and interactions.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil — the top-ranked source

Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g, edible portion · values per 100 g
Calories 884
Total Fat 100 g
Saturated Fat 15.4 g
Sodium 2 mg
Potassium 1 mg
Total Carbohydrate 0 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Total Sugars 0 g
Protein 0 g
Vitamin E, vitamin K, oleocanthal polyphenols
Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC 748608)

Top 12 Monounsaturated Fat foods

  1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil — 69.2 g per 100g. Vitamin E, vitamin K, oleocanthal polyphenols
  2. Pecans — 39.3 g per 100g. Manganese, copper, zinc
  3. Peanut Butter — 30.7 g per 100g. Niacin, vitamin E, magnesium (natural
  4. Sesame Seeds — 18.8 g per 100g. Calcium, lignans, magnesium
  5. Dark Chocolate (70–85%) — 12.8 g per 100g. Iron, magnesium, copper
  6. Walnuts — 9.63 g per 100g. Copper, manganese, plant omega-3 (ALA)
  7. Cheddar Cheese — 8.43 g per 100g. Calcium, protein, vitamin B12
  8. Parmesan — 7.52 g per 100g. Calcium, protein, vitamin B12
  9. Mozzarella — 6.57 g per 100g. Calcium, protein, vitamin B12
  10. Flaxseed — 5.94 g per 100g. Thiamine, magnesium, lignans
  11. Mackerel — 5.46 g per 100g. Omega-3 (EPA & DHA), vitamin D, vitamin B12
  12. Salmon (Atlantic) — 5.01 g per 100g. Omega-3 EPA & DHA, vitamin D, vitamin B12

How to actually eat more Monounsaturated Fat

A handful of additions usually move the needle more than a full diet reset. Monounsaturated Fat is best consumed from whole foods rather than supplements whenever possible. Try adding one new source each week, track how you feel, and build from there rather than forcing every meal to hit a target.

For broader context, see our Heart Health hub and the Monounsaturated Fat compound page.

Common questions

How much Monounsaturated Fat do I need a day? Needs differ by age, sex, life stage and health status. The figures here are not prescriptions; use them to compare foods, then apply your own context.

Are supplements better than food sources? Not automatically. Food provides co-factors such as fibre, fat and other micronutrients that help the body use Monounsaturated Fat effectively. Supplements are useful for filling confirmed gaps.

A note on health content. This article is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical or dietetic advice. Where we cite research, links to the original papers are provided so you can read the evidence yourself.

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