The Case for Fats | Sport Manitoba

By Sam Cortes, Communications Coordinator

What are Macronutrients?

Macronutrients are nutrients that we require in large amounts.

There are three kinds: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

Each macronutrient plays a specific role in the body and helps provide the energy required to maintain bodily functions – basically, they keep us moving and grooving!

This post focuses on fats, why they’re important, and what types of fat you should be consuming as part of a healthy diet.

The Role of Fats

Fats help with:

Brain development
The production of certain hormones
Absorbing fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)

Since there are nine calories per gram of fat, compared to proteins and carbohydrates consisting of four calories per gram, fats require more energy to burn.

All fats are not created equal and the type of fat you consume is important.

3 Types of Fats

Unsaturated fats occur in foods such as fatty fish, avocados, nuts and seeds, and olive oil.

Saturated fats occur in foods such as cheeses, butter, and meats like beef and poultry with skin.

Trans fats occur in foods such as processed foods, deep fried foods, and hydrogenated oils.

It is important to note that partially hydrogenated oils (a type of trans fat) were recently banned in foods sold in Canada, as per Health Canada:

“It is now illegal for manufacturers to add partially hydrogenated oils to foods sold in Canada. This includes both Canadian and imported foods, as well as those prepared in all food service establishments.”