Some fat is good for you and necessary to keep your body functioning properly, but eating the wrong kinds of fat or overindulging in high-fat foods can lead to problems. When choosing your fats, choose the majority of your fat calories in the form of unsaturated fat. Limit the inclusion of saturated fats in your diet and avoid trans fats entirely.
Full-Fat Cheese
Cheese is a food that heavily contributes to heart disease. The Center for Science in the Public Interest estimates that 6 g saturated fat are contained in every ounce of full-fat cheese. It is this high amount of saturated fat that contributes to increased cholesterol levels and the development of heart disease. Cutting back on cheese and switching to low-fat varieties can help you reduce your saturated fat, cholesterol and calorie intake considerably. This switch can help you lose weight and reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Fast Food
Fast foods are not only high in fat and calories, but they also often contain trans fat, the unhealthiest of the fats. Trans fats contribute to increases in bad cholesterol and reduced levels of good cholesterol, even when only consumed in small amounts. Some fast food places have reduced their use of trans fat, but it may still be in use where you eat. Find out whether places where you commonly eat use trans fats in their cooking by simply asking them or looking for the ingredients on their websites. Avoid fast food places that continue to use trans fats in their cooking.
Desserts
Desserts made with whole milk, whole eggs and butter, among other calorie-rich ingredients are high-fat foods that you are best to avoid. These desserts contain high amounts of saturated fat, cholesterol and calories and few beneficial nutrients. Also, some prepackaged and processed desserts are made with trans fat-rich oil. When choosing your desserts, stick to the ones made with fruit or make your own desserts with reduced-fat ingredients, such as nonfat milk and egg whites.
Red and Processed Meats
Red meats and processed meats contain high amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol. These meats also tend to contain considerable amounts of sodium, a well-known cause of high blood pressure. According to the findings of a decade-long study published in 2009 in the "The Archives of Internal Medicine" and cited by "The New York Times," of the people who regularly included red meat and processed meat into their diet they were more likely to die sooner than people who ate much less red meat and less processed meat. Generally, these people died as a result of heart disease or cancer. By taking red meats and processed meats out of your diet, you can reduce your risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer.
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