During a community health lecture on nutrition, a member of the audience says that fats are bad and should be eliminated from the diet. What should the nurse explain about fats to the audience?

Question

a. They are a part of a healthy diet
b. They can lead to cardiovascular disease
c. They are the worst of the major nutrients
d. They need to be severely restricted for good health

Answer 1

a. They are a part of a healthy diet

The nurse should explain that fats are necessary to good health and should be part of every good diet. Fats should make up about 30% of an adult diet, preferably unsaturated fats. Unless there is a medical reason, fats should not be severely restricted. There is no hierarchy of nutrients; all are necessary for good health. Fats do not lead inevitably to cardiovascular disease when consumed in recommended amounts.