Atherosclerosis can lead to heart disease and strokes. Cholesterol is a substance found in animal products, such as meat, eggs, and dairy products. Vegetable products do not contain cholesterol. Of the various types of fats, saturated fats are the least healthy. They tend to increase the level of cholesterol in your blood.
Saturated fats are solid at room temperature.
Foods that contain saturated fat include butter, cheese, margarine, shortening, tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil, and the fats in poultry skin and meat. To reduce the saturated fat in your diet, limit the amount of butter and margarine you eat. Drink nonfat or low-fat milk. If you use cooking oil, avoid tropical oils such as palm or coconut oil. Better oils to use are sunflower, canola, or olive oil.