Because too much fat can increase the risk of heart disease, obesity and other health problems, health authorities recommend Americans consume 30 percent or less of their total daily calories from fat, with 10 percent or less of those calories from saturated fat. Thirty percent refers to your total calorie intake over time, not single foods or meals. The following chart will help you regulate your fat intake. Remember, you are concerned with the total fat intake over time. A food high in fat can be part of a healthy diet, as long as it's balanced with other lower-fat foods.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance, similar in appearance to fat.
There are two kinds of cholesterol. Many doctors believe that an excess level of cholesterol in the blood contributes to the formation of deposits in the arteries. If this happens in an artery serving the heart, a heart attack can occur. Cholesterol buildup in the blood can be lowered by reducing saturated fats in the diet. Controlling the types and amounts of food eaten can help do this.