The article has been updated successfully.
Fat is an essential nutrient.We all need fats from our food.Fat is a source of energy and it helps our bodies to absorb vitamins A, D, E and K and minerals from our food.Fat is needed for nerve signals to travel from our brain to other parts of our bodies.Some fats are good for our health while other fats can be harmful.
When eaten in large amounts, fats can contribute to weight gain, heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancers.There are three main types of fat:saturated, unsaturated and trans fatty acid.
- Saturated fat: comes from animal foods like red meats, poultry, butter and whole milk.It is solid at room temperature and adds flavor to food. It also can stick to the walls of your blood vessels, clogging them and leading to heart disease.
- Unsaturated fat: come in two types monounsaturated and polyunsaturated.They remain liquid at room temperature and they do not clog your blood vessels.
- Trans fat: although found naturally in some foods,it is a mostly man-made fat found in crackers, cookies, cakes and fried food like french fries and doughnuts.
Try to replace saturated and trans fats with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Limit fats in your diet but don't try to eliminate them completely.
Additional Resources:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/he695
