fats

[ fats ]

noun

1. (used with a plural verb) cattle fattened and ready for market.

fats

1. Organic compounds that serve as a reserve of energy for the body. Fat is stored in the body's fat tissues, which provide support, protection, and insulation for the body and its organs . A balanced diet must include some fats because, in addition to providing energy for the body, they are necessary for the absorption of certain vitamins .

Notes

Many people consume too much fat in their diet; this imbalance can contribute to various diseases (such as disorders of the heart ). Some fats, called saturated fats , have been found to raise the level of cholesterol in the blood , whereas other fats, called unsaturated fats , may help reduce blood cholesterol levels.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fats¹

Plural of fat

Example Sentences

When dietary fats enter the body through the foods we eat, they must be sorted and processed into compounds called lipids, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol, or sphingolipids.

From Science Daily

One simple strategy is focusing on the four F's of food: fiber, phytochemicals, unsaturated fats and fermented foods.

From Salon

Instead, they’re typically made from cheap ingredients such as modified starches, sugars, oils, fats and protein isolates.

From BBC

Unlike carbohydrates, which are stored in muscle and liver as glycogen, and fats, which are stored in adipose tissue, we have nowhere to store excess protein/amino acids.

From Salon

In a specially approved test flight last year, Virgin Atlantic flew a Boeing 787 from London to New York using fuel exclusively produced from waste fats and plant sugars.

From BBC

Related Words

• flesh
• grease
• lard

More About Fats

What are fats?

Fats are greasy substances found in the tissues of animals and some plants.

Many of the foods we eat contain these fats. Foods from animals, such as meat, milk, and eggs, all contain fats. So do some plant-based foods, such as nuts, avocados, and olive oil.

The singular form fat can be used to collectively refer to the same thing. The body stores and uses fat for energy.

The plural form fats is most often used in the context of nutrition. There are several different kinds of fats, such as saturated fats, unsaturated fats, and trans-fats, each of which can have different effects on a person’s nutrition and health.

In general, it’s usually recommended not to consume too much fat. However, some fats are necessary in a diet because they help the body to absorb vitamins. The nutrition label on food products usually tell you exactly how much fat and what kinds of fats are in them.

Example: This diet is based on avoiding foods that are high in fats.

Where does fats come from?

Fats is the plural form of the noun fat. The first records of the word fat come from before the year 1000. It comes from the Old English verb fǣtan, meaning “to cram” or “to load.”

In the context of nutrition, the word fats is often used alongside words for other types of foods that make up a balanced diet, such as proteins and carbohydrates.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to fats?

• fat (singular form)

What are some words that share a root or word element with fats? 

• saturated fat
• unsaturated fat
• trans-fat
• fatty acid

What are some words that often get used in discussing fats?

• proteins
• carbohydrates
• food
• nutrition
• eat
• diet

How is fats used in real life?

Fats is most commonly used in the context of nutrition.

Saturated fats are also found in a few vegetable oils, such as palm oil, coconut oil, hydrogenated oils, and chocolate. #Heart #Health

— Cholesterol Fix (@CholesterolFix) November 23, 2020

#FitQ Did you know our bodies need certain fats to absorb vitamins A, D, E & K? #vitamins #Health #fitnessgirl pic.twitter.com/nx6BlL5N03

— FitLifeMag (@FitLifeMag) November 17, 2016

Some sources of so-called good fats are fish, green leaves, avocados, nuts and selected fruits

— Windsor Adcocks (@AdcocksWindsor) October 18, 2014

 

 

Try using fats!

True or False? 

Only foods from animals contain fats.