Not All Fats Are Created Equal

Fats have gotten a bad rap over the years. However, all fats are not creative equal. There are good fats and bad fats. The first step is identifying which fats are which. Saturated fats kick up total blood cholesterol, along with the LDL or bad cholesterol. These are found in animal products like meat, dairy and eggs, and trans fats found in processed foods such as fries, chips, cakes and cookies. Plant foods such as coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil are all high in saturated fats. Trans fats are another no-no. These hydrogenated oils are found in commercially packaged foods such as French fries, microwave popcorn, vegetable shortening and stick margarine. These fats lead to obesity, heart disease and some cancers. You can't talk about the bad fats without also pointing out the good fats -- monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. When consumed in moderation, these fats offer some major health benefits.