Dietary fats (Infographic)

Fats are essential for life and proper body functioning. The fats found in foods are made up of mixtures of different types of fatty acids. Fatty acids are classified as either saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated or trans. For good health, we should aim to limit our intake of saturated fats to less than 10% of daily energy by replacing them with mono and polyunsaturated fats and avoid foods containing trans fats. This infographic highlights why we need fat, the different types of fat, the fat found in common foods, and the health effects of each type.

Download the printable version here.

For more information, please view these associated materials:

EUFIC Review (2014). Functions, Classification and Characteristics of Fats
EUFIC Review (2015). The functions of Fats in the body
EUFIC Food Today (2015). 8 Facts on Fats Q&A
World Health Organisation (2015 updated). Healthy Diet Factsheet N^o 394.