Saturated fats — commonly found in processed foods, fatty cuts of meat and higher fat dairy products— are often associated with heart disease, and are considered to be a big enemy to our health. That’s why we are continuously reminded to remove visible fat from our meat and poultry, and to choose low-fat dairy varieties.
But recently, there has been buzz around saturated fats being heart-friendly. This is following a study that looked at research assessing the effect of dairy intake on heart health. Some coverage of this study has made it sound contradictory to previous research, and people are confused! As always, it’s important to read beyond the headlines.
The main finding of this study is that eating both full and low-fat dairy products is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. It is presumed that the specific type of saturated fatty acid found in dairy products may be responsible for the potential benefits that were observed. However, the exact reason underlying this association is not clear and calls for further research.
Skim milk or whole?
Until we know more, the recommendations have not changed. Dairy is still considered to be a part of a healthy diet, as outlined by Canada’s Food Guide. It’s recommended that you choose low-fat dairy products including low-fat cheese (≤20 per cent M.F), yogurt and milk (preferably 1 per cent or 2 per cent) and limit the intake of higher-fat dairy products, such as cream cheese, dipping sauces and ice cream. And whenever possible, replace saturated fats with healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, found in foods like nuts, fish and olive oil.
