You may think fat is the nastiest thing ever, but it turns out your body needs it! Find out why.
Fat - Why Is It Good For You?
Fats fuel you with tons of energy (even more than carbs and protein) and help your body grow. Fats also keep your skin looking healthy and beautiful. Fats are responsible for most of the delicious taste and texture in foods you like. But eat too much of it and it'll harm your body. A high fat diet will increase cholesterol, leading to obesity, heart disease, diabetes and even cancer. That's why it's important to eat a balanced diet of foods that are naturally low in fat, like fruits and veggies. It's ok to eat high fat foods such as cake, pizza and fried chicken, just as long as you watch your portions!
Fat - Different Types of Fat
- Unsaturated Fat - There are two types of unsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fat comes from foods such as avocados and peanut butter, and polyunsaturated fat is found in corn and sunflower oils. Unsaturated fat is the good kind because it can help lower cholesterol.
- Saturated Fat - Nicknamed the "bad" fat because too much of it can raise your cholesterol. Foods like ice cream, butter, red meats and processed meats (like bacon and pepporoni) are all high in saturated fat.
- Trans Fatty Acids - Trans fats are produced when liquid oil is made into solid fat. Food sources include commercially processed snacks like cookies and donuts, and some fast foods like french fries. Like saturated fats, trans fatty acids can harm your health by increasing cholesterol.
Fat - Did U Know?
- Watch out for foods that are labelled low fat or fat-free - they may be reduced in fat, but still contain lots of sugar.
- Your recommended daily fat intake should be about 67 grams, or 600 calories.
- You get 12 grams of fat from a Krispy Kreme glazed donut, 22 grams from a Starbucks Chocolate Brownie Frappuccino, and a whopping 69 grams from a Burger King Double Whopper with cheese.
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