We all have been told that we need to watch our fat intake in order to have a healthy diet. There are bad fats but there are also good fats that help our body work properly. The ways our body uses fat to function include:

1. produce hormones
2. provide insulation and cushion for our organs
3. give us healthy hair and skin
4. help our brains function properly (which is even more important for children)
5. give us energy
6. reduce the levels of our bad cholesterol
7. reduce PMS and menopause symptoms among women
8. reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and some cancers
9. help the body to circulate vitamins through the blood in a more efficient manner

It is important to know the difference between good and bad fats so you can figure out if the fats in certain foods are going to help or harm your overall health.

Polyunsaturated Fats

Polyunsaturated fats contain a lot of vitamin E as well as essential fatty acids that our body requires but cannot produce naturally. These good fats reduce your cholesterol levels, help you cope with PMS symptoms, and improve your coordination. You can get polyunsaturated fats from sunflower oil, pumpkin seeds, safflower oil, cashews, almonds, and sesame seeds.

Monounsaturated Fats

Monounsaturated fats are also thought to help you reduce your bad cholesterol levels. Other benefits of these good fats include lowering your risk of developing cancer and helping you live a long and healthy life. You can find monounsaturated fats in sesame oil, Angola oil, olive oil, macadamia nuts, avocados, humus, Brazil nuts, mackerel, and lean meats.

 Saturated Fats

If you consume too many saturated fats, you are going to raise your cholesterol levels and be more at risk for developing cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as becoming obese. You can find saturated fats in food items like cheese, baked goods, and meats.

Trans Fats

While saturated fats are definitely unhealthy, trans fats are worse. Trans fats are basically saturated fats that have undergone a chemical change during the manufacturing of food. Trans fats increase your bad cholesterol levels and lower the good cholesterol levels at the same time. Trans fats are linked to a variety of illnesses including cancers and cardiovascular disease. You may or may not find trans fats on food labels. Trans fats can be found in margarine, baked goods, fried foods, fast food, and chocolate.