What are Fats : saturated fats, monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats?
Fats can be classified into four major categories: Saturated fats, Polyunsaturated fats, Monounsaturated fat and Trans fat Saturated fats are found in fatty meats, butter, cream, cheese, chocolate, coconut, pies, pastries, cakes, most fast foods, biscuits, potato chips, regular milk, regular yogurt (curd), etc. Polyunsaturated fats are found in seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin), walnuts, vegetable oils, etc. Monounsaturated fats are found in olives and olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil, nuts (peanuts, Brazil), etc. Trans fats (trans-fatty acids) are formed when vegetable oils are hydrogenated, that makes them as solids or semisolids (in India, it is commonly known as Dalda). Trans fats are used in many snacks, viz. cookies, cakes, microwave popcorn, fried foods, in margarine (stick and tub varieties). Both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are considered to be better than saturated fats. It is emphasis ed that saturated fat in the diet is more harmful than dietary cholesterol.
