Where do the Fats and Oils fall in MyPyramid and what do you need? What are the different kinds?
All food fats and oils are a mixture of saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids.
Solid fats contain more saturated fats and/or trans fats than oils. Most oils contain more monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fats.
Saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol tend to raise “bad” (LDL) cholesterol levels in the blood, which in turn increases the risk for heart disease.
To lower risk for heart disease, cut back on foods containing saturated fats, trans fats, and keep cholesterol from foods at 300 mg or less per day.
A healthier lifestyle is easier than you might think. This is one in a series of monthly webpage features to show you how to take advantage of the great information put together by your USDA colleagues.
