The difference between saturated fats and regular fats

[PsiCop]

topic

[YODA]

FATS

Fats are molecules made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The type of fat depends upon the arrangement of these atoms within the molecule. If the carbon atoms have a single bond between them and as many hydrogen atoms as possible are bonded to the carbon atoms, then the fat is said to be saturated.

Sometimes though, the bond between the carbon atoms is a double bond and the molecule can absorb more hydrogen atoms. If this is the case, the fat molecule is of the unsaturated type of fat.

In a healthy diet, people usually want to limit or avoid the saturated fat. Saturated fat is known to raise blood cholesterol levels. Saturated fat is found in foods such as fatty meats, poultry skin, coconut and palm oils, pastries, cookies and high fat dairy products like whole milk.

Some fat is needed in a regular healthy diet. Fats are a potent source of energy for the body. Also, fat is needed to dissolve certain vitamins that our cells require. If there isn't any fat in the diet then the person will not be able to see the benefits of vitamin A, D, E and K. These vitamins will only dissolve in fat. The fat in a person's diet allows these vitamins to dissolve and then the vitamins can be carried to the cells within the person's body.

Unsaturated fats are divided into two groups

Polyunsaturated fat: is found in fatty fish like salmon, tuna and sardines, and in oils like corn oil, safflower oil and soybean oil.
monounsaturated fat: is found in some nuts (peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans) as well as in certain oils like canola oil, and olive oil.

[Cain]

Uh...huh....u sound like my biology textbook LOL! :D

|Cain|

[PsiCop]

wow, you're obviously very knowledgeable on the subject, yoda. I appreciate you filling in the loose ends for me. thanx

[Starboy]

Simple version:

Saturated Fats = bad
Unsaturated Fats = usually good, but in moderation

Unless you're using the Atkin's method, then:

Staturated Fats = bad
Unsaturated Fats = well, at least it's not carbs. :P