Why do I need fatty acids? Learn more about the types of fatty acids and how much you should be consuming in your diet.
Although we tend to hate fat on our hips, we need some fat to support our bodies. Plus the advice we get about fat intake can be confusing – we hear about different types of fats, and so-called fatty acids, and sometimes these terms get mixed up. So let’s break it down, and get the fat facts straight.
When nutritionists say “to cut fat”, it doesn’t necessarily mean all fats, because some fats are actually good for you. Fats are made up of different components. The most important of these are the fatty acids which are either saturated or unsaturated.
What makes a fat saturated or unsaturated?
Key differences
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Saturated Fatty Acid |
Unsaturated Fatty Acids1 |
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Unsaturated fats can be further divided into two additional types:
Many of the benefits of unsaturated fats are from essential fatty acids, unfortunately, more people may not get enough of these in their diet alone.
How much of each type should I have?
Fats should be a part of our diet as they do provide benefits to our body and mind—at the right amount and type. Based on the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association no more than 30% of your daily calories should come from fat, and of that 30%, less than7% should come from saturated fats. So, when choosing to consume fat, try for unsaturated!
