Heart-Healthy Fats vs. Trans Fats

March 31, 2023

Not all fats are created equal

For years, we’ve been told that most dietary fats are the enemy when it comes to heart health. Now we’re seeing a shift in the way we think about dietary fat and that some types are beneficial to our health. We’ll discuss different types of fats, so you can choose the best types to shop for. So, if you want to learn more about heart-healthy oils, keep reading!

Not long ago, it wasn’t uncommon to see food products labeled as “fat-free” or “low-fat”. Now that we know more about the health benefits of fats, many high-fat products are often labeled as heart-healthy. Not all fats are created equal, and because of this, some of them you won’t find in any products at Spud.

Unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats

Unsaturated fats are a type of dietary fat that is liquid at room temperature and typically come from plant-based sources. There are two main types of unsaturated fats: monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats.

Monounsaturated fats are healthy fats that can help reduce inflammation and improve heart health. Foods that are high in monounsaturated fats include olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds.

Polyunsaturated fats are essential fats that our bodies need but cannot produce on their own. There are two main types of polyunsaturated fats: omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish such as salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in many vegetable oils, such as corn, soybean, and sunflower oils.

Saturated fats are solid at room temperature and are derived mainly from animal sources or plant sources like coconut oil.

Trans fats – you won’t find these in any products from Spud

Trans fats are typically artificial fats created through a process called hydrogenation and are often found in processed foods. Trans fats were originally created as a way to increase the shelf life and improve the texture of processed foods and were seen as a healthier alternative to saturated fats. These fats, when consumed often and in large quantities can raise our levels of LDL cholesterol (often referred to as “bad” cholesterol), which can increase our risk of developing heart disease or other health problems.

Heart-healthy fats

Which types of dietary fats are beneficial and detrimental to heart health remain up for debate. While unsaturated fats are known to lower inflammation and improve heath health when consumed in moderation, saturated fats are not always something to avoid. When choosing which fats to incorporate into your diet, always choose high-quality products that are the least processed. At Spud, we work hard to source the best quality ingredients without preservatives and ingredients that we wouldn’t feed to our families.