Jun is at risk for heart disease, so he is watching his cholesterol levels. He refers to the table below to choose what is best for his health.
Comparison Chart of Fats
| Food ( 14 g ) | Saturated Fat (g) | Monounsaturated Fat (g) | Polyunsaturated Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butter | 7.9 | 3.7 | 0.5 |
| Cream cheese | 3.0 | 1.5 | 0.2 |
| Margarine | 1.6 | 5.4 | 3.4 |
| Peanut butter | 1.4 | 4.0 | 2.6 |
Which snack is the healthiest option for Jun, based on the data in the table?
A. bagel with butter
B. bagel with cream cheese
C. bagel with margarine
D. bagel with peanut butter
Answer (2)
To assist Jun in selecting the best snack for his health, we analyzed the saturated and unsaturated fat content of four options. Margarine has the lowest saturated fat (1.6 g) and the highest unsaturated fat (8.8 g), making it the healthiest choice among the options. Thus, the healthiest option for Jun is the bagel with margarine.
;
Calculate the total unsaturated fat for each food option.
Compare the saturated fat and total unsaturated fat for each food.
Identify that margarine has the highest unsaturated fat and a relatively low saturated fat.
Conclude that the healthiest option is the bagel with margarine: ba g e lw i t hma r g a r in e
Explanation
Understanding the Problem Jun is watching his cholesterol levels and wants to choose the healthiest snack. We need to determine which snack option has the lowest amount of saturated fat and the highest amount of unsaturated fats.
Calculating Total Unsaturated Fats First, let's calculate the total unsaturated fat (monounsaturated + polyunsaturated) for each food:
Butter: 3.7 + 0.5 = 4.2 g
Cream cheese: 1.5 + 0.2 = 1.7 g
Margarine: 5.4 + 3.4 = 8.8 g
Peanut butter: 4.0 + 2.6 = 6.6 g
Comparing Fat Content Now, let's compare the saturated fat and total unsaturated fat for each food:
Butter: Saturated fat = 7.9 g, Unsaturated fat = 4.2 g
Cream cheese: Saturated fat = 3.0 g, Unsaturated fat = 1.7 g
Margarine: Saturated fat = 1.6 g, Unsaturated fat = 8.8 g
Peanut butter: Saturated fat = 1.4 g, Unsaturated fat = 6.6 g
Choosing the Healthiest Option We want to minimize saturated fat and maximize unsaturated fat. Comparing the options:
Peanut butter has the lowest saturated fat ( 1.4 g), but margarine has higher unsaturated fat.
Margarine has the highest unsaturated fat ( 8.8 g) and a low saturated fat ( 1.6 g).
Since margarine has the highest unsaturated fat and a relatively low saturated fat, it is the healthiest option.
Final Answer Therefore, the healthiest snack option for Jun is the bagel with margarine.
Examples
Understanding the fat content in foods and making informed choices is crucial for maintaining a healthy diet, especially for individuals at risk of heart disease. This problem demonstrates how to analyze nutritional information to select foods with lower saturated fats and higher unsaturated fats. For example, when choosing between different spreads for your toast, comparing their fat profiles can help you make a heart-healthy decision. This skill is directly applicable in everyday meal planning and grocery shopping, promoting better health outcomes.
