Fat Tubes
"Fat tubes" are useful visual aids to represent grams of fat in foods. You can use fat tubes along with Nutrition Facts labels to help consumers gain a better understanding of the amount of fat in various foods.
The Role of Fat
Currently the average fat intake in the U.S. is approximately 34% of total calories. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend that Americans limit fat calories to 30% of total daily calories, with no more than one-third of the fat from saturated sources. Eating less fat will help you reduce the number of calories you eat every day and reduce cancer and heart risk.
Teaching Ideas
- Compare skim and whole milk. Note that 2% milk is halfway between whole and skim milk.
- Compare amount of fat in 3 ounces of 90% lean ground beef with 3 ounces of chicken and fish. Also note that chicken with the skin will have twice the amount of fat as chicken without the skin.
- Compare 1 ounce of bologna with 3 ounce portions of extra lean beef, chicken, and fish. By the time you have 3 ounces of bologna almost 3 test tubes will be full.
- Note that 1/2 cup of ice cream has teh same or more grams of fat as 1 cup of whole milk, whereas you could eat over 2 cups of ice milk to eaqual that much fat.
Fat tubes can be checked out by contacting the State 4-H Office.