Which statement about unsaturated fats is true?

• A. They are usually liquid at room temperature and considered heart-healthy.
• B. They are solid at room temperature.
• C. They are derived mainly from dairy fat.
• D. They should be avoided in a healthy diet.

Answer: (A)

Unsaturated fats are typically liquid at room temperature and are heart-healthy when used to replace saturated fats in the diet. Their chemical structure includes one or more double bonds, which creates kinks that prevent tight packing of fat molecules. This loose packing keeps them liquid at room temperature, unlike saturated fats, which are solid at room temperature.

Because they often come from plant sources (and some fish), they help improve blood lipid levels by lowering LDL cholesterol and can support overall heart health when used instead of saturated fats. That’s why olive oil, canola oil, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish are encouraged as part of a healthy eating pattern.

The other statements don’t fit: being solid at room temperature describes saturated fats, not unsaturated fats. Dairy fat is a major source of saturated fat rather than unsaturated fat. And unsaturated fats should not be avoided; they’re a component of a healthy diet when consumed in place of less healthy fats.