What are good and bad fats for kids

What are good and bad fats for kids. You may wonder what fats do and what are its kinds or types. By definition there are dietary fats which are essential macronutrients composed of glycerol and fatty acids.

Never confuse it as body fats!

There are fats (different kinds/types) inside the body (STORED)

There are also fats you consume (FOOD) as part of your diet. This topic is all about dietary fats.

Chemically speaking, they are hydrophobic, oily, or greasy substances that do not dissolve in water assisting in nutrient absorption (vitamins A, D, E, K) and build cell membranes. Whereas a body fat is something you can pinch or those inside the body protecting organs.

Kids dietary fats vs body fats

Now, what are body fats in reality? Never get confused between dietary fats and body fats!

Body fats provide insulation such as subcutaneous and visceral that protect organs, and acts as an energy reserve. On the other hand, dietary fats are nutrients in food (saturated, unsaturated, trans) that aid in nutrient absorption and cell structure.

So, you will find out what are these good and bad DIETARY FATS below!

The “Good” Fats: Unsaturated Fats, the “Bad” Fats: Trans and Saturated Fats are one of the interesting facts unknown to your kids, teens, and even adults.

Unsaturated fats are considered “good fats” primarily because they improve cholesterol levels, lower inflammation, and stabilize heart rhythms. When used to replace unhealthy saturated and trans fats, they significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke – The Nutrition Source

If fats disrupt blood cholesterol levels, promote artery-clogging plaque, and drive chronic inflammation – they are bad like Trans and Saturated Fats!

Trans fats are by far the most dangerous—offering zero health benefits—while saturated fats are harmful primarily when consumed in excess – National Library of Medicine

Just in case you overlooked that fats are those you pinch in your belly, but no – these are beyond that!

Good fats

Olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
canola oil
peanut oil
avocado oil
sunflower oil
almonds
cashews
pecans
macadamia nuts
hazelnuts
peanut butter
almond butter
salmon
mackerel
sardines
herring
trout
tuna
flaxseed (ground)
flaxseed oil
chia seeds
walnuts
soybeans
hemp seeds
Sunflower seeds
pumpkin seeds
sesame seeds
soybean oil
corn oil
safflower oil
and more are some of the GOOD or HEALTHY DIETARY FATS!

Bad fats

Cookies
cakes
crackers
doughnuts
French fries
fried chicken
stick margarine & shortening
fatty cuts of meat like beef, lamb, and pork
poultry skin
processed meats
full-fat dairy
coconut oil
palm oil
palm kernel oil
pastries and biscuits
burgers
tacos
pizzas
potato chips
snack cakes
creamy sauces and dips
and more are some of the UNHEALTHY or BAD DIETARY FATS.

TIPS AND WARNINGS:

Body fats (stored) and dietary fats (foods) are technically different.
Fats came from the term lipid from the Greek lipos, and “adipose tissue,” meaning “animal fat” or “grease”.
Never be confused about dietary and body fats.
Too much of anything is not good.
Go to any urgent care if you need more information about fats and how to diagnose or check if you eat bad fats.
Unsaturated fats are good, while trans fats and saturated fats are bad.
Saturated and trans fats raise the level of “bad” cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in your blood leading to heart disease and stroke.
Trans fats and saturated fats are universally considered the “bad” or unhealthy fats!