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Fats. Why do we need them? Is it because fats are healthy or because they taste so good? Almost everyone loves a juicy grilled steak now and again, and the majority of Americans are not about to become vegetarians and give up meat for total consumption of healthy fats.

Over the past few years we've seen, or heard, report after report citing obesity in the United States. We're over weight, our children are obese, and if you look closely at Fido you'll see a bulge around his middle. What's the cause of all these weight problems? Fat is an essential part of our diet that keeps our bodies functioning properly. What we need is a guide to healthy fats.

The hero fats improve or help us maintain our health while the dastardly fats raise LDL (low density lipoproteins) cholesterol levels that contribute to CCD or chronic coronary disease. It's important to remember however, that excess calories are the major cause of weight gain. Eat too much of either type of fat, and you'll gain weight. Still, it just makes good sense to protect our health through diet. So, how do we identify healthy fats?

Oils generally contain high concentrations of healthy fat. They're identified by their ability to retain their liquid state in cold temperatures. Certain oils, like Canola, directly promote healthy arteries by helping them maintain their elasticity. The chemical composition and molecular construction of the oil provides the health benefits, but at the same time, contribute to the instability of oils. Light, heat, and oxygen can spoil healthy oils.

*Monounsaturated fats:

These fats turn cloudy when refrigerated. They promote healthy HDL (high density lipoproteins) while lowering LDL. (low density lipoproteins) Olive oil, peanut oil and canola are oils we use in everyday cooking. They're not 100 percent monounsaturated fat however. Olive oil, for example, contains 72 percent monounsaturated fat, 8 percent polyunsaturated fat, 13 percent saturated fat, and no trans fat.

Monounsaturated fats are the main components of the healthy Mediterranean diet. Natural foods that provide the same benefits are almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans.

*Polyunsaturated, the hero fats:

These fats retain liquidity and clarity when refrigerated. They've been shown to lower triglycerides in the bloodstream and promote healthy bodily functions. Triglycerides are a major health threat to coronary health. Sunflower, corn, and flaxseed oils have a high concentration of polyunsaturated fats. They belong to

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