My name’s Polyunsaturated Fat.   Most people call me Poly … because I have more than one unsaturated carbon in the molecule.  I don’t get as much attention as my Bad Fats Brothers, Sat and Trans.  In fact, on many Nutrition Facts labels, I am hidden just like my sister Mon.  Here’s a quick tip: Subtract saturated and trans fats from total fats to get roughly the combined amount of Mon and me. 

I love to make new friends.   If you cook with me, I’ll help lower your cholesterol.  Specifically, I’ll help lower your bad LDL cholesterol, which means I can help reduce your chance of developing heart disease.  Pretty neat, huh?

With me by your side, you’re sure to get lots of omega-3 and omega-6.   They’re vital for healthy cell development and brain function, but your body alone can’t produce them.  So it’s wise to eat foods rich in the omegas – my personal favorite is salmon.  Other oily fish (like trout and herring), nuts and seeds are good sources, too.

Of course, I wouldn’t be doing my job as a heart helper if I didn’t tell you to practice a little moderation.  Mon and I are better for you than Sat and Trans, but you don’t want to go crazy with us.  All fats, bad or better, have 9 calories per gram, more than twice the calories of other foods.  But Mon and I are much kinder to your heart, so spend more time with us than you do saturated and trans fats.

New friends who enjoy trips to the library and trying out new recipes.

I’ve got a few, namely great scientists like Aristotle and Albert Einstein. 

Last Update May 2008