What foods contain fats?
Many foods naturally contain fats. Meats, dairy products, poultry, fish, nuts and vegetable oils supply most of the fats Americans eat. Whole grains and vegetables contain only small amounts of fats when prepared without added fats. Fruits (except avocados, coconut and olives) contain virtually no fats. Many prepared foods also contain fats. Whether a cake is made from “scratch” at home, from a mix or purchased at the bakery, fats are frequently a key ingredient. Further, there are grocery staples that are fats, such as butter, margarine products, shortening and oil. Why do we need different products like butter, shortening, margarine products and oil? Fats serve a variety of functions in foods. Their unique mouthfeel supplies the rich, smooth, creamy sensation that distinguishes many foods. Fats also absorb and blend ingredient flavors and aromas to produce the distinct taste of individual foods. In baked goods such as cakes, fats help produce a high, fine texture. When “creaming” fat
