What is the difference between Good Fat and Bad Fat?  Why is Fat needed? Fat, in general, is another important component to watching what you are fueling your body with.  It’s important to check the labels and have a general understanding of what the different types of fat are and how your body uses them.  The following articles give great examples and explanations of not only what those fat differences are but how and why your body uses and needs them:

Good Fats and Bad Fats : Brief and good general overview

Fat Facts:  Good Fats vs. Bad Fats: More Detailed description

Summary:

Fat is generally used for energy; insulation; protecting our internal organs; nutrient absorption; and so much more!  It may be helpful when trying to figure out the difference between FATS, as viewing FATS from GOOD to BAD.  This is done basically by thinking about their molecular structure.  The more hydrogen atoms they have the worse off they are…i.e. the order of Fat from GOOD to BAD would then be as follows:  Monounsaturated (missing two Hydrogen atoms); Polyunsaturated (missing two or more Hydrogen atoms); Saturated…i.e. “saturated” with Hydrogen atoms (Missing 0 hydrogen atoms); Trans-Fat (have hydrogen atoms added back in for preservation).  However, just like Carbs, consuming too much of any type of fat, especially the BAD fat will definitely contribute to some serious health problems, such as Stroke; Heart Disease; and Diabetes just to name a few.

GOOD FATS: Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated fats are both considered to be the Good Fat.  Unsaturated Fats contains Omega 3 Fatty acids which are great for child development of the eyes and brain; they help lower LDL (Bad Cholesterol) and raise HDL (Good Cholesterol Levels).

• Monounsaturated Fats: Found in Nuts; Avocado; Canola and Olive Oil
• Polyunsaturated Fats: Found in Salmon; Tuna; Fish Oils; Sunflower; Soy; Safflower; and Corn Oils

BAD FATS: Saturated Fat and Trans Fat raise total blood cholesterol levels contributing to clogged arteries and increasing the risk associated with Heart Disease and Stroke.  Most of the Trans Fat that we consume is engineered to help preserve pre-packaged food.  They are basically unsaturated fats that are engineered into saturated fats.  If you see on the food label “Partially Hydrogenated” this means Trans Fat; adding Hydrogen onto unsaturated fats thus hydrogenating the fat.  Another way to think of Fat, is if you left the fat out at room temperature and it turned solid…not good…if it stays a liquid…better.

• Saturated Fats: Found in Animal products such as Beef; Dairy; Eggs; Ice Cream (I am especially sad about this one)
• Trans Fat: Very hard to get away from these…just look at the food label for any pre-packaged food for extended shelf life…such as: Crackers; Chips; Popcorn; Canned Foods; Margarine…etc.  Look in the ingredients for “Hydrogenated.”  Unfortunately, if the food label says “0” Trans Fat…this may not be true, and the trace amounts that are in there add up per serving so you have to look at the ingredients.

Proper diet is all about choices!  Seemingly simple everyday choices, such as those surrounding our every day diet, can have huge repercussions in the future…and unfortunately we cannot go back in time to change our decisions.  Sometimes it’s hard to see the long term effects some of our choices have in life, such as should I take this job or that; should I marry this person or not…etc., however thanks to many health and nutritional studies out there, we can learn what sort of effects our diet choices will have on our body and health in the near and long term future.  Making the right or wrong choice today when it comes to diet can not only affect you but also those that are closest to you.