Unsaturated Versus Saturated Fat

Saturated fat, unsaturated fat, trans fat -- no matter which type of fat it was, you were probably told to stay away from anything that had fat in it if you wanted to lower your cholesterol. What you may not know, however, is that not all fats are bad for you if you are following a cholesterol-lowering diet. While you do need a little bit of fat in your diet, you should make sure that these foods contain the fats that are healthy for your heart. Knowing the difference between “good” fats and “bad” fats can help keep your cholesterol levels within normal range and prevent heart disease.


Good Fats Versus Bad Fats

There is more than one type of fat found in your favorite foods. If you have checked on the back of the box at the food label, you may have seen the words “saturated fat,” “polyunsaturated fat,” or “trans fat.” All of these fats take on a special meaning when it comes to your heart health. While some of these fats are heart friendly, other fats can sabotage your cholesterol -- and your heart health. Find out what these fats mean and what they can do to your cholesterol levels.