Big Fat Lies: The Truth about Low-Fat, Full-Fat & Your Waistline

If you eat fat, you might have this idea that you're going to get fat. But does eating fat really lead to weight gain, or is it just the kind of fat that you're eating?

There are several different types of fat that are both harmful and helpful to your health. The two types of fat that are known to be harmful to your health are saturated and trans fats. Saturated fats come from animal sources like red meat, dairy products and poultry. Trans fats typically are created when hydrogen is added into vegetable oils.

However, you DO need fat in your diet to be healthy. This may come as a shock, since you might have been told otherwise from doctors, researchers and friends. Fat is an energy source that helps your body absorb vitamins and nutrients that you need in order to survive.

Some forms of fat in your diet also have been shown to actually help you lose weight, reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and lower your chances of developing diabetes.

These fats include monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and omega-3 fatty acids. Monounsaturated fats can be found in food and oils, polyunsaturated fats are mostly found in plant-based foods and oils, and omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish, nuts and plants.

What else do you need to know about fat and your diet?

Join Sarah Corey and Dr. Holly to hear more about which fats you should be including more of in your daily diet and which you should pass on.