Press Release
American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada Offer Up-to-Date Guidance on Dietary Fat
2007-09-03
Media Contacts: Ryan O'Malley, Allison MacMunn
800/877-1600, ext. 4769, 4802 media@eatright.org
CHICAGO – How much fat should be included in a healthy diet? How can you avoid trans fats? Are omega-3 fats good for your heart?
These are just some of the questions on consumers’ minds when they’re trying to make healthy food choices. The American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada have joined to provide the most up-to-date, scientifically sound advice in Dietary Fatty Acids, a position statement on this important health issue developed and released by ADA and DC.
According to Dr. Sheila Innis, DC’s co-author and professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia: “It’s the joint position of DC and ADA that the body needs fat for many important functions, so including some fat is an important part of a healthy eating pattern.
“About 20 to 30 percent of energy needs should come from fat. However, as fats and oils are high in calories, portions should be small to prevent excess weight gain,” Innis says.
“Of greatest importance is the type of fat one chooses,” says registered dietitian Penny Kris-Etherton, ADA’s co-author and distinguished professor of nutrition at Pennsylvania State University. “The healthiest choices are unsaturated fats found in liquid vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, and omega-3 unsaturated fats found in fatty fish such as salmon, sardines and shellfish.
“On the other hand, saturated and trans fats should be kept to a minimum,” Kris-Etherton says. Saturated fats are found in tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil, fatty meats and high-fat dairy products. Trans fats are often found in commercial baked goods, crackers and high-fat snack foods, although government and industry are working together to reduce or eliminate trans fats in foods.
“Look on the Nutrition Facts panel of packaged food labels to find the amount of total fat, saturated and trans fats and try to choose those foods with the lowest amounts,” Kris-Etherton says.
The joint ADA/DC position paper recommends people follow a food-based approach for achieving the following fatty acid recommendations:
- A dietary pattern high in vegetables and fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds
- Lean protein such as meats, poultry and low-fat dairy products
- Fish, especially those high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon
- Non-hydrogenated margarines and oils.
A fact sheet putting the scientific language of the position paper into practical, consumer-friendly tips for healthy eating is available on the Dietitians of Canada’s Web site at http://www.dietitians.ca/news/frm_resource/imageserver.asp?id=841&document_type=document&popup=true&contentid=8435.
With more than 67,000 members, the American Dietetic Association is the nation’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being. To locate a registered dietitian in your area, visit the American Dietetic Association at www.eatright.org.
Dietitians of Canada represents more than 5,600 dietitians across Canada and is committed to promoting the health and well-being of consumers through food and nutrition. For trusted information on nutrition and healthy eating and to register to receive DC’s regular nutrition updates, visit Dietitians of Canada award-winning Web site at www.dietitians.ca.