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Fat   

Overview | Recommendations | Side Effects | Food Sources

Alternative names:

Saturated fat; Diet - fat; Polyunsaturated fat; Monounsaturated fat; Lipids

Recommendations

Approximately 40% of the calories consumed in the United States are from fat. Current recommendations for fat intake are different depending on preexisting medical conditions and cholesterol level. In general, for most people, less than 30% of total daily calories should come from fat. Saturated fat should be limited to less than 10% of the total calories for the day. The remainder of the day's fat intake should be equal amounts of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat.

Children under two years of age should NOT be on a fat restricted diet because cholesterol and fat are thought to be important nutrients for brain development.

It is important to read the nutrition lables and be aware of the amount of different types of  fat contained in food. It is recommended that everyone over 20 have their cholesterol checked. Talk to your health care provider about how to cut down of your fat intake and to have your cholesterol checked.

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