Fat

Alternative names:

diet and fat; lipids; monounsaturated fat; polyunsaturated fat; saturated fat

Recommendations:

Approximately 40% of the calories consumed in the United States are from fat. Current recommendations for children over the age of two are to reduce the total fat intake to 30% or less of the total daily calories. Saturated fat should be limited to 10% of the total calories for the day. The remainder of the day's fat intake should be equal amounts of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat.

Children under two years of age should NOT be on a fat restricted diet because cholesterol and fat are thought to be important nutrients for brain development.

The following guide shows the grams of fat allowed for different calorie levels and meets the recommended 30% calories from fat:

• 1,200 Calories
  • 40 grams fat = 8 teaspoons (margarine or butter)

• 1,500 Calories
  • 50 grams fat = 10 teaspoons (margarine or butter)

• 1,800 Calories
  • 60 grams fat = 12 teaspoons (margarine or butter)

• 2,000 Calories
  • 66 grams fat = 13 teaspoons (margarine or butter)

• 2,500 Calories
  • 83 grams fat = 16.5 teaspoons (margarine or butter)