Our bodies need fat to function, but if this is so true, then why are fats bad for you? The truth is that some fats are bad for you while others are better for you. Let’s take a look at two of the major bad fat culprits to further understand the need for a better diet with a reduced amount of saturated fat. According to the American Heart Association, saturated fats and trans fats are the two main dietary components responsible for rising levels of blood cholesterol.
Saturated Fats are fats that have all the hydrogen the carbon atoms can hold. Generally they are solid at room temperature and are more stable than other fats in the sense that they do not combine well with oxygen. The main sources of saturated fats in our diet come from animals and some plant oils. Examples of saturated fats are: whole milk, cream, ice cream, whole-milk cheeses, butter, lard, palm, palm kernel and coconut oils, and cocoa butter.
Why are trans fats bad? Trans Fats are a man made fat added to foods for preservation purposes to make sure their shelf life lasts. They are not saturated fats, but they are bad for you because they contribute to raising the bad cholesterol in your system while also lowering the good cholesterol. Examples of trans fats are found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils in foods such as: cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, fried onion rings, and doughnuts.
Even though trans fats and saturated fats are not good for you, you can have them in moderation and be fine. Dietary guidelines suggest that you should consume no more than 7% of your total calories from saturated fats, and no more than 1% of your total calories each day from trans fats. Any overweight person should avoid consuming more than 30% of their calories from any kind of fat. Many fast foods have been prepared with one or both of these types of fats and this is a major contributor to why they are not good choices for you.