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Fats

Learn what dietary fats do for the body and how much fat is recommended per day. Look up how much fat is in popular foods, like avocados and eggs.

  • Nutrient Lists from Standard Reference Legacy (2018)

    This page provides lists of which foods have the most and least content of specific nutrients. 

    • USDA, National Agricultural Library, Food and Nutrition Information Center
  • More Key Topics: Oils and Saturated Fats

    Oils are not a food group, but they provide essential nutrients. Find information on cooking with oils and limiting saturated fats.

    • USDA, Food and Nutrition Service, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
  • Rethink Fats

    Use these tips to help you make smart choices about choosing, using, and eating fats for good health.

    • USDA, Food and Nutrition Service, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
  • Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated Fat

    Read about monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats - what they are, where they are found, what they do, and how to use the Nutrition Facts Label to replace saturated fat with mono and polyunsaturated fats.

    • HHS, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
  • Saturated Fat

    Read about saturated fat - what it is, where it is found, and how you can use the Nutrition Facts Label for reducing saturated fat in your diet.

    • HHS, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
  • The Skinny on Fat

    Fat is an essential nutrient for our bodies. It provides energy. It helps our guts absorb certain vitamins from foods. But what types of fat should you be eating? Are there any you should avoid?

    • HHS, National Institutes of Health
  • Low-Calorie, Lower-Fat Alternative Foods

    Use this list of low-calorie, lower-fat alternatives to provide new ideas for old favorites.

    • HHS, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Obesity Education Initiative
  • Dietary Fats

    Read the latest news and information on dietary fats. Also offers links to research and related topics.

    • HHS, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus
  • Dietary Fats Explained

    Read basic, factual information on dietary fat, including how much fat should be consumed.

    • HHS, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus
  • Dietary Fat and Cholesterol

    Read more about dietary fats and cholesterol in this printable fact sheet.

    • Colorado State University Extension
  • What are Trans Fatty Acids?

    Trans fats are produced during the hydrogenation of vegetable oils. Concerns about these fats brought about changes to the Nutrition Facts panel in 2006. Read more.

    • PennState Extension