Being an Orange County personal trainer and very into fitness I keep hearing a lot of confusion about fat in foods, so I want to take the time to explain a few very basic things.
First of all, there are actually a few different kinds of fats. The first kind is the one that Personal Trainers usually tut-tut the most: saturated fat. A fat’s “saturation” depends on its chemical makeup. So a saturated fat means that the fatty acid chain is full of hydrogen. Saturated fat is the bad stuff that can increase your likelihood of heart attacks and strokes and up your bad cholesterol. It is usually found in dairy products (like butter and cheese) and red meat.

The second kind is called monosaturated fats. This is a lot better for you, and switching from diet high in saturated to monosaturated fat will raise your good cholesterol and lower your bad cholesterol. This kind of fat is usually found in vegetable oils, like olive oil and canola oil.

The third kind is called polyunsaturated fat. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids fall into this category. These fats also give you a lot of benefits, including better brain function and cardiovascular health. They are usually found in fish.

So, does this mean you should never consume foods that have those “bad’ saturated fats. Well, there are no absolutes in personal training, and consuming fats is no exception. Because of its very high energy content and muscle building potential, most bodybuilders can benefit from eating foods that contain saturated fat, such as red meat. Check with your personal trainer to see what fats from what sources will best help you reach your fitness goals.