74 Unit 2 Nutrition and Food Choices
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
type of fat is found in many processed foods, such as packaged
cookies, chips, doughnuts, and crackers. You may see trans fats
listed as partially hydrogenated oils on ingredient lists.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that is found
in foods from animal sources, but is also produced by the
body. Too much cholesterol can cause health problems.
Fats: Positives and Negatives
Your body stores excess dietary fats present in the foods
you eat as body fat. Despite the negative publicity that body
fat gets, it is important to your body’s health. Body fat
• supplies energy to the body when food is unavailable;
• acts as a cushion to protect internal organs; and
• provides a layer of insulation to help regulate body
temperature so you don’t get too hot or too cold.
Likewise, the dietary fats you consume play an important role in the
absorption and transport of certain types of vitamins through the blood-
stream. These fats also help absorb and transport other nutrients during
digestion. As a bonus, dietary fats enhance the fl avor and texture of foods.
Eating unsaturated fats may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Although fats are important for the body to function, some fats may
be better for you than others. Saturated fats tend to be associated with el-
evated levels of cholesterol in the blood. Diets that are high in this type of
fat may cause many long-term health problems, including cardiovascular
disease, stroke, some types of cancer, and diabetes. Recent studies suggest,
however, that highly refi ned carbohydrates may have a greater effect on
heart disease than saturated fat.
Some scientists believe trans fats pose worse health risks than satu-
rated fats. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking action to
further reduce the use of this fat in the food supply. Some cities, including
New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia, have enacted laws that require
restaurants to limit the use of trans fats in the foods they serve. California
is the fi rst state to require restaurants to limit their use of trans fats .
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic substances, meaning they are derived from plants
or animals and contain carbon. Like other nutrients, vitamins are necessary
for normal growth and development. They help regulate various body pro-
cesses, such as blood clotting, immune system functions, and the mainte-
nance of healthy skin. They also help the body release the energy found
in proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Different vitamins have distinct func-
tions in the body (Figure 3.6).
Oils and nuts both contain
unsaturated fats.
Figure 3.5
vitamins
organic substances derived
from plants or animals,
which are necessary
for normal growth and
development