Should I avoid fat because I don't want to get fat?

National Academy of Sports Medicine

No. Some of your calories, around 25%, should come from healthy fats (nuts, seeds, plants oils and fish). Your body needs these fats to grow and maintain itself, including your brain and heart. Concentrate on getting healthy foods in the right amounts, and not on eliminating a group of foods or nutrients that your body needs.

Continue Learning about Fats and Weight Loss

Former San Diego Charger’s lineman Nick Hardwick retired from the National Football League and from his daily 5,000-plus calorie diet that included sa...

Intermountain Registered Dietitians

Most often you should eat: Margarine that is “trans fat free" Monounsaturated oils: peanut, ol...

Janis Jibrin, MS, RD

Fortunately, the bad old days of ultra low fat diets are well behind us, and the healthy range of fa...

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Fats and Weight Loss

Fats are often a buzzword when it comes to weight loss, and not for a good reason. Many diets caution that you steer clear of fats to lose the weight. But this isn't always the case. A complete and effective diet plan will include healthy, unsaturated fats that feed your brain and quell your appetite. Steer clear of saturated fats, which tend to be full of the empty calories that cause weight gain. For more tips on the relationship between weight loss and fats, read the expert answers below.

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