As demonstrated previously in EAT II, the U.S. population is confused about food sources of fat and how to correctly balance this energy nutrient in their diets. Forty percent of the respondents disagreed with this statement, suggesting that consumers recognize the importance of limiting fat in the diet. In addition, consumers may be unfamiliar with the terminology and individual functions associated with different types of fats. The perceived health benefits of unsaturated vs. saturated fat are unclear to many consumers. Eating fat is all right as long as it is not saturated fat.
Unsaturated fats are healthier than saturated fats.
The Meat Group contributes about 26 grams of fat and 9 grams of saturated fat to the diets of the population. For example, the Bread Group provides an average of 13 grams of fat per day. As noted previously, since beef is frequently consumed, it provides a greater proportion of the fat in the diet compared to other meats.