What is Dietary Fat?

Why do you need fat in your life?

Fat is an essential part of a healthy, well balanced diet. It provides essential fatty acids, provides and allows the body to absorb Vitamins A, D, E and K, improves the taste and texture of food and is an important source of food energy. Dietary fat is also needed by the body to support natural growth, maintain healthy skin and vision, boost the immune function and enhance learning. It is important that you choose the right fat to eat, however. See Types of Fat

Recommended fat intakes are based on energy needs and physical activity levels. Present guidelines suggest that no more than 35% of daily energy intake (EI) should come from fat and no more than 11% from saturated fat. The energy requirements for an average woman and man are 2,000 and 2,500 kcals per day respectively.