Separating the Healthy Fats from the Unhealthy
Most people know that eating too much fat is not healthy. But many people aren’t aware that we need a certain amount of fat to stay healthy. Fats provide energy (calories), and certain types of fat provide essential fatty acids (the building blocks of fats) that our bodies need to function properly. Fats also help our bodies absorb the fat-soluble Vitamins A, D, K and E. Not all fat is bad for us – it’s all about the amount and type of fat we consume.
Many foods, such as meat, fish, dairy products, nuts and avocados, naturally contain fat. These naturally occurring fats are generally described as ‘hidden fats’. Additional fats, such as oils, butter, margarine or salad dressings are often added to foods during cooking, at the table, or in the manufacturing of many foods we find on the grocery store shelves.
Here is a handy guide to help you separate the healthy fats from the unhealthy: