To start with, it’s important to know something about which foods
contain fat and the different types of fat before we can make any changes in
the way we eat.
We eat fats in many different forms. Some fats like butter, margarine or
lard are solid at room temperature, others are liquid like corn oil. In fact,
over one-third of the fat in the average British diet comes from fats such as
butter, margarine, lard and cooking oils.
But apart from these obvious fats and oils, there is also a lot of hidden
or invisible fat in food. Even lean red meat can contain up to 9% of its
weight in fat, and fat makes up about half the weight of nuts. In fact, most of
the fat in the British diet is of this “hidden” kind. About one quarter comes
from meat and meat products and about one-fifth from milk, cheese and
cream, biscuits, cakes and pastries, eggs and other foods make up the rest. All these fats and oils are equally fattening because they all contribute
the same number of calories (Kcals). One measure by weight of any fat or
oil contains twice as many calories as the same measure of protein or
carbohydrate.