Both the amount and type of fat you eat
is important. 1 teaspoon of oil contains 5g off at. 1 heaped teaspoon of
margarine or butter has almost 6g of fat, while low fat spread or low fat
butter have almost 3g fat. Reduced fats spreads contain different amounts so
check the label.
All oils are the most concentrated source of fat (100%)
followed by margarines and butter (80%), which contain the same amount of
calories and fat but have different types of fat. Low fat margarine or low fat
butter has less fat (about 40%).Saturated, hydrogenated (hardened) and trans
fats are the ‘bad’ fats because they raise the amount of harmful cholesterol in
your blood and increase your risk of heart disease. They include the white fat
you see on meat, and are also in sausages, puddings and meat pies and in
butter, hard margarines, lard and some dairy products like hard cheese and
cream. Saturated fats are also in pastries, cakes, biscuits, chocolate,
confectionery and salty snacks like crisps. Reduce intake of saturated fats by
limiting these foods to special occasions. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated
fats are the ‘good‘ fats because they lower the harmful cholesterol in your
blood and are good for your heart. They are found in most pure vegetable oils
like sunflower, rapeseed and olive oil and the spreads made from these. They
are also found in seeds and nuts. Oily fish is the best source of an essential
fat called Omega 3
By Dr
Anaam