Nutrition

What are the differences between unhealthy and healthy fats and why are they important?

1. What are healthy fats, what foods are they found in and why are they important?

* Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats are known as “good fats” because they are good for the heart, cholesterol and the body’s overall health.

Fats that are “good” |

Monounsaturated Fat | Polyunsaturated Fat |

* Peanut oil * Sesame oil * Sunflower oil * Olives * Peanut butter * Olive oil * Avocados * Canola oil * Nuts (almonds, peanuts, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, pecans & cashews) | * Corn oil * Sunflower, sesame, flax & pumpkin seeds * Tofu * Fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, trout & sardines) * Safflower oil * Soymilk * Soybean oil * Walnuts |

* Fat provides energy and act as a transporter of essential nutrients such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as a carrier of carotenoids.

2. What are unhealthy fats, what foods are they found in and why are they bad?

* Saturated fats and trans-fats are known as “bad fats” because they can cause disease and potentially increase cholesterol levels.

Fats that are “bad” |

Saturated Fat | Trans-Fat |

* Chicken with the skin * Palm and coconut oil * Butter * Cheese * Lard * Ice cream * High-fat cuts of meat (beef) * Whole-fat dairy products

(milk & cream) | * Stick of margarine * Packaged snack foods (crackers, microwave popcorn, chips) * Fried foods (French fries, fried chicken, chicken nuggets, breaded fish) * Commercially-baked pastries, cookies, doughnuts, muffins, cakes, pizza dough * Vegetable shortening * Candy bars |

* Unhealthy fats are bad for the body because they cause Triglyceride levels to go up, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, narrowing of blood vessels, increases in LDL levels and atherosclerosis; which is the hardening of the arteries.

3. What affects do healthy and unhealthy fats have...