Is it true that dietary fat is bad for me?

No, dietary fat is essential. However, knowing how to choose fat from healthier sources can help to meet your dietary needs for fat without added health risk. Healthy fats come from sources typically liquid at room temperature, such as oils. Checking food labels for foods higher in mono- and poly-unsaturated fats and lower in saturated and trans-fats can help you to identify foods that would be better choices. However, all fat is a dense source of calories and should be limited to only about 30% of total calories each day, regardless of food source.

With the notable exception of trans fats (they are indisputably bad), there is no type of dietary fat that is categorically good or bad. What makes it so is the quality of the fat and how it has been processed. Saturated fats are not categorically good or bad. Unsaturated fats are not categorically good or bad. What makes a fat beneficial or harmful to your health is its quality and how it has been extracted from its source. I emphasize this point because it's so different from what most marketing and outdated nutrition wisdom will have us believe.

Too much of anything can be bad for you. But in the proper amounts, all fats make a contribution to good health. Keep total fats below 35% of your diet with saturated fats no more that 10% of your daily calorie allotment. Fats from fish, nuts and many vegetables are important contributors to our long-term health. Please see our Sharecare Fitness Application under the Coach tab for ideal menu examples that will allow you to reach your health & fitness goals. Click here for access: http://www.sharecare.com/home/coach