Government guidelines in the UK suggest cutting down on fat intake, and replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats in the diet.

A small amount of fat is vital for the body, as it is a source of essential fatty acids, as well as allowing the body to absorb vitamins A, D, and E. Unsaturated fats are healthier than saturated and trans fats.

Eating a diet too high in saturated fat will increase the levels of “bad” cholesterol in the body, leading to health problems, which is why we should be aiming to swap our saturated fats with unsaturated.

Some sources of saturated fats include:

• Fatty meats
• Butter
• Cheese
• Biscuits
• Cakes
• Coconut oil
• Chocolate

Some sources of unsaturated fats include:

• Vegetable oils
• Avocado
• Some nuts
• Salmon
• Corn
• Rapeseed
• Mackerel
• Sardines

More information about the Eatwell plate can be found on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/the-eatwell-guide/.