|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutrition

Facts on Fat & Oil

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.

  1. 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.

Nutrition - Related Articles