Taking a Closer Look at the Label: Total Fat

Total fat tells you how much fat is in a food per serving. It includes fats that are good for you such as mono and polyunsaturated fats, and fats that are not so good such as saturated and trans fats. Mono and polyunsaturated fats can help to lower your blood cholesterol and protect your heart. Saturated and trans fat can raise your blood cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease. The cholesterol in food may also increase your blood cholesterol. Learn more about specific types of fat.

Fat is calorie-dense. Per gram, it has more than twice the calories of carbohydrate or protein. Although some types of fats, such as mono and polyunsaturated fats, are healthy, it is still important to pay attention to the overall number of calories that you consume to maintain a healthy weight. If you are trying to lose weight, you'll still want to limit the amount of fat you eat. That's where the food label comes in handy.