Fats are the main energy-storing resource in our bodies. This essential nutrient also assists your digestive system in absorbing vitamins and keeping your skin healthy. In recent years, fat has gotten a lot of bad press as people blame it for weight gain and other heart-related diseases. A side-effect of this phenomenon is people adopting completely fat-free diets. While switching from fried potato chips to baked potato chips is a good idea, completely cutting out fats from your diet can have negative effects on the body. Just like anything else, there are good types of fat and bad types of fat. Here is a handy guide to help you recognise which types of fat are beneficial and which ones to stay away from.

Healthy fats

Healthy fats can be divided into two main categories: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats mainly come from vegetables, seeds, nuts and fish, which gives them the reputation of being “heart-healthy fats.” Polyunsaturated fats are also known as essential fats. These fats are essential for bodily functions such as blood clotting, muscle movement and regulating inflammation in the body.

Unhealthy fats

The two main categories of unhealthy fats are saturated fats and trans fats. Saturated fats are generally consumed as a part of our diet through high-fat meats and dairy products. Consuming excessive saturated fats can lead to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries. Foods like butter, coconut oil, cheese and red meat are high in saturated fats. Trans fats are short for ‘trans fatty acids.’ These fats are a byproduct of a process known as hydrogenation. This process is used to turn healthy oils into solids to help keep the food from going rancid. Trans fats are said to be the worst type of fats as they not only raise bad cholesterol levels but also suppress good cholesterol from being produced in the body.

Identifying healthier alternatives

The key to avoiding these fats regularly is to identify healthier alternatives to food items high in unhealthy fats. Instead of butter, lard or regular oil, choose vegetable oils to sauté food. Instead of fried or pan-fried foods, go for grilled, baked, steamed and boiled options. To get the best in health and taste you can choose savoury and healthy snacks from DIP Foods. With our proprietary baking process, we at DIP Foods have created baked pani puri and baked canapè products with 98% less oil content.

While polyunsaturated fats contribute to essential functions in the body, our body does not create these fats naturally. This means that consuming these fats through our diet is essential for the smooth functioning of our body. With our handy guide and your diverse knowledge on how to read food labels, you can now be sure to always make the right nutritional choice for you and your family.