In nutrition, biology, and chemistry, fat usually means any ester of fatty acids, or a mixture of such compounds, most commonly those that occur in living beings or in food. [1]
Fat in your food helps activate your body’s feeling of satiety (pronounced suh-TY-eh-tee or SAY-she-uh-tee). That’s the feeling of satisfaction or fullness that tells you you’re no longer hungry and it’s time to stop eating.
What Is Fat? Types & Why You Need Fats - Cleveland Clinic
Eating good fats in place of saturated fat can also help prevent insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes. (16) So while saturated fat may not be as harmful as once thought, evidence clearly shows that unsaturated fat remains the healthiest type of fat.
If a food label says ‘low fat’, the food must contain no more than 3 per cent fat (3g fat per 100g). But beware, lower-fat foods like fruit yogurts can have added sugar which will increase the number of calories they contain.
Our animation explains the role that fat plays in your body, and talks through the different types of fat and which foods they’re found in.
Fat is an important part of your diet, but some kinds are healthier than others. Find out which to choose and which to avoid. The type of fat you eat every day, over a lifetime, can help keep you healthy.
Any fat that's not used by your body's cells or turned into energy is converted into body fat. Likewise, unused carbohydrates and proteins are also converted into body fat.