Canadian And US Dietitians Provide Up-To-Date Guidance On Dietary Fat

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 05 Sep 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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How much fat should be included in a healthy diet? How can one avoid trans fats? Are omega-three fats good for your heart? These are some of the questions on the minds of consumers when trying to make healthy food choices. Find the most up-to-date and trusted advice on these and other fat and health-related issues in the latest joint position paper - Dietary Fatty Acids - released by Dietitians of Canada (DC) and the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

According to Dr. Sheila Innis, DC's co-author of the position paper and Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, "It's the joint position of DC and ADA that the body needs fat for many important functions, so including some fat is an important part of a healthy eating pattern. About 20-30 percent of energy needs should come from fat. However, as fats and oils are high in calories, portions should be small to prevent excess weight gain," Innis says.

"Of greatest importance is the type of fat one chooses," adds Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton, ADA's co-author and distinguished professor of nutrition at Pennsylvania State University. "The healthiest choices are unsaturated fats found in liquid vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, and omega -3 unsaturated fats found in fatty fish such as salmon, sardines and shellfish. On the other hand, saturated and trans fats should be kept to a minimum," Kris-Etherton says. "Saturated fats are found in tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil, fatty meats and high fat dairy products. Trans fat are often found in commercial baked goods, crackers and high fat snack foods, although government and industry are working together to reduce or eliminate trans fat in foods. Look on the Nutrition Facts panel of packaged food labels to find the amount of total fat, saturated and trans fat and try to choose those foods with the lowest amounts," advises Dr. Kris-Etherton.

The joint ADA/DC position paper recommends people follow a food-based approach for achieving these fatty acid recommendations. This healthy eating pattern:

-- is high in vegetables and fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds,
-- includes lean protein such as lean meats, poultry, and low-fat dairy products,
-- emphasizes fish, especially fatty fish high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, trout,
-- uses non-hydrogenated margarines and oils.

A copy of the position paper is available on the Dietitians of Canada website at http://www.dietitians.ca/news/highlights_positions.asp. A fact sheet that puts the scientific language of the position paper into practical, consumer-friendly tips for healthy eating is available here.

For guidance on reading food labels to make healthy food choices check out http://www.healthyeatingisinstore.ca. Individuals needing more help in meal planning to meet specialized medical needs should consult a registered dietitian. Find one in your area here.

Dietitians of Canada represents more than 5,600 dietitians across Canada and is committed to promoting the health and well-being of consumers through food and nutrition. For trusted information on nutrition and healthy eating and to register to receive DC's regular nutrition updates, visit Dietitians of Canada award-winning website at http://www.dietitians.ca.

With more than 67,000 members, the American Dietetic Association is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being.

http://www.dietitians.ca

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