Saturated fat is the name given to fats that contain saturated fatty acids - which means fats where the hydrogen bonds in the fatty acid molecule are full. In practical terms, saturated fats are usually solid at room temperature and come mainly from animals. So they include fats found in milk and other dairy prodcuts, lard and the white fat you can see in red or white meat.

We need a certain amount of fat to maintain health. However, it is recomended that men consume no more than 30g of saturated fat per day, and women only 20g. Too much of these fats can lead to higher choleterol levels and increased risk of heart disease.

Generally healthier food sources are unsaturated fats, which are mainly found in liquid form when at room temperature. These include some vegetable oils, especially soya, olive and sunflower, and the oils found in some fish such as mackerel and tuna.