Fat is NOT evil

By Live Healthy Reporter

There has always been a perception that eating foods containing fat would lead directly to obesity and heart disease. This could not be further from the truth.

Fat is an essential nutrient and our bodies requires it for key functions, such as absorbing the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. It is also an important energy source and is important for keeping our skins and hair healthy. You will always hear of statements as ‘bad fat’ and ‘good fat’. Here is more information about this categorization.

Good fats

 Monounsaturated fatty acids
 These are fats found in plant foods like nuts, avocados, olive oil and canola oil, and in poultry. They are good fats because they lower cholesterol levels and therefore reduce the risk of getting heart diseases as well as reduce high blood pressure.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)
 These are fats found in fatty fish such as salmon and soybean oils. They are good in improving cholesterol levels and reducing heart disease risks. 

Saturated fat
  These are fats found in meat and dairy products such as cheese, butter and milk. We are advised to eat these foods in moderation to avoid raising our cholesterol levels and being at risk of developing heart attacks and stroke. 

Bad fats

Trans fat
 These are fats we should really limit if we can’t cut them out altogether. They are found in some fried foods and packaged snacks like crackers and desserts.