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Nutrition & Dietetics vocabulary · Macronutrients and Water

Saturated fat

Meaning in nutrition & dietetics, with examples

nounCommon term

In nutrition & dietetics, saturated fat means: A type of fat whose fatty acids have no double bonds. It is found mainly in butter, fatty meat, cheese, coconut oil and palm oil, and is usually solid at room temperature.

In Turkish: doymuş yağ

How it is used

Very common on labels and in heart health guidance. Many guidelines advise limiting it to less than 10% of total energy because high intakes can raise LDL cholesterol. On UK labels it is often written as 'saturates', on US labels as 'saturated fat'.

Example sentences

  1. Coconut oil contains even more saturated fat than butter.

  2. Replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat lowers LDL cholesterol.

Common collocations

  • high in saturated fat
  • saturated fat intake
  • limit saturated fat
  • saturates
  • unsaturated fatA type of fat with one or more double bonds in its fatty acids, usually liquid at room temperature. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are its two main groups.
  • trans fatA type of unsaturated fat whose structure makes it behave like saturated fat in the body. Most of it came from partially hydrogenated oils, and it raises LDL and lowers HDL cholesterol.
  • cholesterolA waxy, fat-like substance that the body uses to build cell membranes and make hormones and vitamin D. The liver makes most of it, and it is also found in animal foods.
  • fatA macronutrient that gives the body concentrated energy, about 9 kcal per gram, and helps it absorb vitamins A, D, E and K. The word also means the fat tissue stored in the body.

More terms: Macronutrients and Water

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.