Basic Facts About Fat In Your Diet

At some point, everyone has worried about their fat and cholesterol intake. Physicians say a high-fat diet increases your risk of heart disease and some types of cancer.

Still, many people are confused about the changes needed to lower the fat in their diets.

There are three types of fats; saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated.

• Saturated fats come from animal foods such as meat, poultry, butter and whole milk. Saturated fat raises cholesterol levels.
• Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are found in vegetable oils. Both can help decrease high blood cholesterol levels when part of a healthful diet.
• Dietary cholesterol comes from animal sources such as the fat in dairy products, egg yolks, meats, poultry and seafood. Vegetables, fruits and grains don't contain cholesterol.

High cholesterol levels allow fatty substances to collect on the walls of the vessels around the heart. Over time, this can restrict blood flow to the heart and cause a heart attack.

Cut saturated fats in your diet by using polyunsaturated or monounsaturated oil when a recipe calls for melted shortening or butter. You can also reduce saturated fats by substituting whipped, lower-fat vegetable oil margarine in place of butter.