Is Fat Necessary in our Daily Diets?

A lot of people are skeptical when it comes down to consuming any type of fat; whether it’s polyunsaturated or monounsaturated, simply the word fat makes them cringe. The truth however, is that a small amount of fat is good and in reality necessary to the maintenance of a healthy body. On average, adults should get approximately 20-35% of their daily calorie intake from fat. This of course should equal to no more than 10% of saturated fat and 0% of trans fat. However, many experts agree that majority of Americans should eat less fat than they currently do. Research shows that our diets are too high in saturated fat and trans fat. That is why it is extremely important to be aware of proper fat intake. Looking at food labels can help us make the best decisions regarding proper fat intake and in return quick weight loss.

Fats are made up of compounds called fatty acids or lipids. Depending on their chemical structure, these fatty acids are called monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, saturated and trans. Of these four, the best source of fat is monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. The two types of fat that should be avoided include saturated fat and trans fat. Although these two fats are among the unhealthiest, they can be found in majority of foods including crackers, cereals, baked goods, snack foods, salad dressings, fried foods and many more processed foods. Eating foods that contain trans fat and saturated fat can lead to heart disease, increase in cholesterol levels and lowered chance of weight loss. Omitting these foods from our diets is not only beneficial to those individuals who are trying to lose weight, it is beneficial to anyone who has ever wanted to improve their lifestyle through a healthier diet.

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Nutrition

Nutrition