Nutrition 101: Fat

• Fat, Lipids

Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR): 20-35% of energy should come from fats each day with less than 10% of total energy coming from saturated fat

• Provides energy during endurance exercise, in between meals, and in times of starvation
• Essential component of cell membranes
• Insulates and acts as a shock absorber for bones and organs
• Unsaturated fats decrease risk of heart disease
• Omega 3 fatty acids assist in growth, development, and brain function

• Unsaturated fats (good fats) found in vegetable oils, salad dressings and margarines made from vegetable oils, avocadoes, ground flax seeds, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish, such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel
• Saturated fats found in high fat cuts of beef and pork, full fat dairy products, butter, and snack foods, such as cookies, pastries, and doughnuts
• Trans fats found in some margarines, deep fried food, and snack foods, such as chips, crackers, pastries, and doughnuts

• Every day ways to cut back on fat
• Low Fat Foods are not necessarily Low Calorie
• Good Fat vs Bad Fat
• Trans Fat 101: What and Where?
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids
• A good Trans Fat: Conjugated Linoleic Acid