Visible fats are those that we can observe on meat cuts or other food items, including butter, margarine, and cooking oils.

These visible fats are often seen as unhealthy and something that should be avoided entirely, but this isn’t always the case. Here is a thorough step-by-step guide to better understand what visible fats are, and the role they play in our diet.

What Are Visible Fats?

Visible fats are the fats that are readily noticed or seen by the naked eye. These types of fats are added to food during cooking or processing, and they are also present naturally in some foods like meat, eggs, and dairy products.

When we eat animal-based foods, it contains both visible and non-visible fats that play an essential role in our body’s functions.

Types of Visible Fats

There are three types of visible fats that we consume through our diet, and these include:.

: Solid Visible Fat

Solid fats are the ones that are solid at room temperature. These include butter, lard, and shortening. Solid fats are often used in baking, frying, and cooking to add flavor and texture to different recipes.

: Liquid Visible Fat

Liquid fats are the ones that are in a liquid form at room temperature. These include vegetable oils like olive, canola, and sunflower oils, which are commonly used in salad dressings and cooking.

: Partially Hydrogenated Oil

Partially hydrogenated oils are a type of solid fat that is created by adding hydrogen atoms to oil, which turns it from liquid to solid and increases the shelf life of processed foods.

These types of fats are found in many processed foods like cakes, cookies, and margarine.

Understanding the Role of Visible Fats

Visible fats are often seen as unhealthy and something that should be avoided entirely. However, this isn’t true. Our body needs fats to function correctly and help absorb essential vitamins and minerals. Here are some roles that visible fats play.

Energy Boost

Visible fats serve as an energy reserve and are essential for providing our body with sufficient energy for performing daily tasks or exercise.

Fats contain more calories per gram compared to carbohydrates or proteins, which is why they are the best source of energy.

Flavor and Texture

Visible fats add flavor, tenderness, and moistness to food, making them taste better. Without these fats, the food would be bland, dry, and unappetizing, making us less likely to consume it.

Hormone Production

Our body needs fats to produce various hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and reproduction. These hormones help us maintain good health and are essential to our body’s overall performance.

How to Choose Healthier Visible Fats?

Choosing healthier visible fats can be challenging, but with careful consideration, it is possible to make better decisions. Here are some tips to help you choose healthy visible fats:.

Choose More Unsaturated Fats Over Saturated and Trans Fats

Unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, nuts, and seeds, are healthier alternatives to saturated and trans fats. Saturated and trans fats raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart diseases.

Limit the Consumption of Processed Foods

Processed foods, such as cakes, cookies, and chips, contain high levels of saturated and trans fats, which are harmful to our health. Limiting the consumption of these foods can reduce the intake of unhealthy fats.

Substitute Solid Fats with Liquid Oils

Substitute solid fats like butter and lard with liquid oils such as olive oil, canola oil, and sunflower oil. These oils contain healthier fats that are beneficial to our body.

Conclusion

Visible fats are an essential part of our diet, and we should not avoid them entirely. We need fats to function correctly, but we should choose healthier alternatives over the unhealthy ones.

With careful consideration and a balanced intake, we can have a healthy and delicious diet.