Fat Facts

• Some fat in the diet is necessary for good health. It is a major source of energy and essential fatty acids (i.e. fatty acids that cannot be produced by the body).
• Fat is particularly important for the normal growth and development of children.
• Fat adds taste and enjoyment to food.
• High fat diets have been associated with higher risk of heart disease, obesity and some types of cancer.
  

Where's the Fat?

• Fat in foods can be visible, like the fat on meat or poultry, or invisible such as the fat used in the processing or preparation of foods such as potato chips, muffins and french fries.
• Unlike the fat on meat or poultry, much of which can be trimmed off, the hidden or invisible fat cannot be removed.
• Another major source of fat is the fat we add to our foods, e.g., butter/margarine on toast or vegetables, cream sauces on pasta and dressings on salads.
• The largest proportion of America’s dietary fat comes from fats, oils, and sweets which include butter/margarine, salad dressings, and mayonnaise, all a part of the pyramid tip.