understanding special diets
Sometimes our doctors prescribe it. Sometimes it's a choice we make. No matter how we get there, lots of us have special dietary considerations. Below we help you understand a few common diets.
Lowering Fat and Cholesterol
These days many people are choosing diets that help them lower their daily intake of fat and cholesterol.
Fact is, you do need to eat some fat for good health. The key is to eat enough— but not too much— and to choose the right types of fat.
Eating too much saturated fat and trans fat contributes to high blood cholesterol more than eating too much cholesterol. However, it's still important to keep the amount of cholesterol you eat within certain limits.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans offer the following advice about how much fat and cholesterol to eat each day:
- Total fat: 20 to 35% of calories
- Saturated fat: Less than 10% of calories
- Trans fat: Keep intake as low as possible
- Cholesterol: Less than 300 mg
The total amount of fat and saturated fat to include in your eating plan depends on your estimated daily calorie needs. The above advice about trans fat and cholesterol applies no matter how many calories you eat.
Eating Vegan
People who are vegan choose or need to avoid all foods that contain animal by-products, like dairy. These days vegan options are becoming more common. If you're vegan or cooking for one, make sure to check the ingredient list on packages carefully while you're shopping.
For more facts on balanced eating, check out the other articles in BOCA's healthy living section.