Fats and Oils, Types and Uses of Fats

Fats and its compounds are known as lipids. Liquids are called oils and solids are fats. A gram of fat contains 9 kilocalories.

Types of fats

•      Saturated Fats are solid at room temperature and are found primarily in animal foods (red meats, lard, butter, poultry with skin, and whole milk dairy products);

•      Monounsaturated Fats are liquid at room temperature and are found in olive oil, canola oil and peanuts.

•      Polyunsaturated Fats are liquid at room temperature and are found in fish, corn, wheat, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.

Uses of Fat

•      visible fats:

–     provides a source of stored energy

–     gives shapes to body

–     cushions the skin

–     acts as an insulation blanket that reduces heat loss

•      invisible fat: This hidden fat,

–     is part of every cell membrane

–     is a component of myelin ,

–     is a shock absorber that protects the organs

–     is a constituent of hormones and other biochemical’s