A diet low in fat makes it easier to include the variety of foods you need for nutrients without exceeding your calorie needs. A diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol can help maintain a desirable level of blood cholesterol. The total fat in your diet should provide no more than 30 percent of your total calorie needs. For example, at 2,000 calories per day, your suggested upper limit is 600 calories from fat. Since each gram of fat contains 9 calories, this equals 67 grams of fat.
Animal products are the source of all dietary cholesterol.
Eating less fat from animal sources will help lower cholesterol as well as total fat and saturated fat in your diet. These foods are important for their complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber. Eating foods with fiber is important for proper bowel function and can reduce symptoms of chronic constipation, diverticular disease and hemorrhoids. Both sugars and starches, which break down into sugars, can contribute to tooth decay. When purchasing food, read the labels.