Eating too much fat has been the major health message of the past ten years. We've listened to the warnings of medical experts about fat and high cholesterol. And the warnings of style expert's on fat and high waist measurements. But, Manny Noakes, from Australia's Science Agency, CSIRO, believes fat has been given a bad name.

"I think that this is a nice simple public health message that has really gone too far. It was nice and simple when it was initially a good way for getting people to cut out certain sorts of fats, but now everyone's tossing out all kinds of fats, including some of the really healthy fats that are there in the food supply."

The fat containing cholesterol is only found in animal products, such as meat, cheese and milk. Although some non-animal fats, such as palm oil, used for cooking take away food, also raises your cholesterol. If that sounds confusing, just remember the general rule. If fat goes hard when cool, it should be eaten sparingly. Whereas fats that remain liquid when cool, like olive oil and canola oil are good for our health. It's why margarine, which stays soft when cool is better for us than butter.

"Butter is high in saturated fat and will raise cholesterol, margarine is low in saturated fat and will lower cholesterol."

Fish and many non-animal products, such as nuts and avocados, maybe high in fat, but are highly protective and in some cases even lower cholesterol. But the best dietary advice is to eat a well balanced diet, and while reducing your intake of fats is good, cutting out all fats, could damage your health.

CSIRO Enquiries
Email: Enquiries@csiro.au
Phone: 1300 363 400
Locked Bag 10
Clayton South
VIC 3169