Both American and Canadian health experts stress that our body needs some fat, out of which 20 to 30 percent of energy needs should be met by dietary fat.
The experts are now investigating what kinds of fat should be used and avoided by the body.
Penny Kris-Etherton, registered dietitian and co-author, said, "Of greatest importance is the type of fat one chooses."
"The healthiest choices are unsaturated fats found in liquid vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, and omega-3 unsaturated fats found in fatty fish such as salmon, sardines and shellfish," she added.
Warning about the presence of saturated or Trans fats in the diets, the experts say they can lead to accumulation of fat in arteries that can be harmful for heart. Saturated fats are found in tropical oils, fatty meats and high-fat dairy products. Trans fats are found in commercial baked goods, crackers and high-fat snack foods.
The Dietary Fatty Acids recommendations guide people to follow a food-based approach for achieving various fatty acid recommendations. Experts say consumers should read nutrition labels to find out what kinds of fats are in the foods they buy.
