Understanding Saturated Fat: Is Small Amounts Still Problematic?

Question
Dear Dr. Manger,

I frequently see grocery products that contain only a small amount of saturated fat, say 0.5 gm or less. This would indicate that it is OK to eat.
But isn't saturated fat cumulative?  for example,after 90 days would I not be consuming 45 gm, which is very unhealthy.

I can't believe I am the first person who asked this question.

Thanks.

Gail Mayer

Answer
I wouldn't necessarily consider saturated fats cummulative, though your cholesterol and health will be affected by continuously eating high saturated fat foods.  Overall, if you only ate 0.5 gm of saturated fat a day (or 45 grams over 90 days) that's pretty good.

My suggestion is to try and limit the total fat in your diet to <30% of the total calories, and saturated fats to <10% of the total calories.  So if you eat a 2000 calorie a day diet, you should shoot for a total fat intake of around 60 grams a day, and about 20 grams of saturated fats.  Less is even better!