saturated fat

noun

Nutrition.

1. a type of single-bond animal or vegetable fat, as that found in butter, meat, egg yolks, and coconut or palm oil, that in humans tends to increase cholesterol levels in the blood.

saturated fat

1. A fat with a triglyceride molecule containing three saturated fatty acids. All carbon atoms in the fatty acid chains of saturated fats are connected by single bonds. Most fats derived from animal sources are saturated fats. Eating foods high in saturated fats can lead to elevated cholesterol levels in the blood.

2. Compare unsaturated fat

Word History and Origins

Origin of saturated fat¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

In 2010, Congress passed the Hunger-Free Kids Act, which prohibited whole milk in school lunches due to concerns that saturated fat and high calories were contributing to a slew of health problems in children.

From Salon

Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs issued “Dietary Goals for the United States,” a set of nutritional guidelines that suggested reducing saturated fat consumption — including high-fat dairy products — based on scientific review and debate.

From Salon

Although whole milk’s reputation has improved over the years, recent guidelines and expert groups still recommend lowering the consumption of saturated fat.

From Salon

He has proposed shortening current dietary guidelines from 149 pages to four or five pages that emphasize the importance of eating whole foods, including foods that contain saturated fat, The Washington Post reported.

From Salon

According to Marion Nestle, a nutritionist and food policy expert who reviewed the menu for the AP, several items are high in sodium, sugar or saturated fat — far from what most people would consider health food.

From Salon