What are the two primary types of fats?

The two primary types of fats are saturated and unsaturated fats. Saturated fats are typically solid at room temperature and are commonly found in animal products, some plant oils, and processed foods. They have no double bonds between the carbon atoms in their fatty acid chains, which means they are fully "saturated" with hydrogen atoms.

On the other hand, unsaturated fats are usually liquid at room temperature and can be further classified as monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, depending on the number of double bonds in their structure. Unsaturated fats are considered healthier for the heart and are found in foods such as fish, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.

By identifying these two primary categories of fats, it allows for a better understanding of dietary choices and the impacts of various types of fats on health. The other options presented include types of fats that are subsets or variations (like trans fats), but the correct focus here is on the broad and foundational categories of fats recognized in nutrition.