There is good fat, and then there is bad fat. We need good fats, such as the unsaturated fats found in olive oil, tuna, salmon, avocados and raw fresh nuts.
Saturated fats, found mainly in animal products, are less good for you, but can be part of a healthy diet. Eggs and aged cheese in moderation are fine, and small amounts of butter are reasonable. Eating a lot of meat may be sub-optimal, but enjoying small servings on occasion appears to be healthy.
Trans fats – the chemically altered fats found in partially hydrogenated oils – are just plain bad. Stick margarine, shortening, and processed snack foods are the most common sources of trans fats, but you’ll also find partially hydrogenated oils in an astounding number of packaged foods, often labeled as “cholesterol free.” Read ingredient labels! Trans fats, even as a small proportion of the diet, are bad for you. They can raise your “bad cholesterol” (LDL), lower your “good cholesterol” (HDL) and raise your total cholesterol. They also appear to contribute to arterial disease and diabetes risk.
