Check Your Nutrition: Fat

 

Having fat in your diet is important because fat is needed to absorb certain vitamins and to make hormones. Eating too much fat, especially saturated fat, can be unhealthy and may lead to high cholesterol, heart disease, and obesity.

 

Take our quiz to see how well you are balancing the amount of fat you eat!

1. When I drink milk, I choose:

2% or whole milk

1%, ½%, skim (fat free), or soy milk

 

2. When I eat out, I usually order:

Deep fried foods (like fried chicken and french fries)

Grilled or baked foods (like grilled chicken and baked potatoes)

 

3. I eat regular salad dressing, butter, margarine, sour cream, cream cheese, or mayo:

I don't touch the stuff

Only occasionally and in small amounts

Only occasionally, but I use a lot!

Often, but in small amounts

Often—and I use a lot!

 

4. I eat dessert foods like cookies, cakes, ice cream, chocolate, or candy bars:

Never or hardly ever

Only on special occasions

Not everyday, but a few times a week

I have a little treat most days

Whenever I can!

 

5. I eat fast food (McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, KFC, Chinese take out, pizza):

Never or hardly ever

Once every week or two

At least twice a week

More than I eat at home!

 

6. I eat fats:

Whenever I want—the more fat the better!

I eat some high-fat foods but balance them with lower-fat foods like fruits and veggies

I try to eat only fat-free foods (fat-free salad dressing, cheese and cookies)

   

 

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