Understanding Fats & Oils: A Comprehensive Guide

Everyone needs at least a little bit of fat in their diet, according to Fooducate and the American Heart Association. The scientific term for a fat is a lipid.

Characteristics

• Fats are solid at room temperature and oils are liquid at room temperature, according to Fooducate.

Considerations

• The American Heart Association explains that no more than 30 percent of daily calories should come from fat. Saturated fat should be limited to 7 percent of total daily calories.

Types

• Types of fat and oil include vegetable oil, animal fat, hydrogenated oil, partially hydrogenated oil, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, cholesterol, omega-6, omega-3, omega-9, triglycerides, lipids and fatty acids, according to Fooducate.

Fun Fact

• One tbsp. of fat or oil contains 120 calories, according to Fooducate.

Chemistry

• The building blocks of fat and oil are fatty acids, according to Fooducate.

Warnings

• Diets high in saturated fat increase the risk for heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.