[Elizabeth]

A Word About Margarine
You may have heard that margarine has a type of unsaturated fat called "trans" fat. "Trans" fats appear to raise blood cholesterol more than other unsaturated fats, but not as much as saturated fats. "Trans" fats are formed when vegetable oil is hardened to become margarine or shortening through a process called "hydrogenation." The harder the margarine or shortening, the more hydrogenated or saturated it is and the more "trans" fat it has. So buy soft or liquid margarine for spreading or cooking. Also, choose those containing liquid vegetable oil as the first ingredient.

Figuring Out Fat
Your personal "fat allowance" depends on how many calories you take in each day. Remember, the total fat in your diet should average no more than 30 percent of your calories, and saturated fat should be no more than 10 percent. The chart below shows the upper limit on total fat and saturated fat grams you should eat, depending on how many calories you consume each day. Check food labels to find out the number of fat grams (total and saturated) in each serving.

TOTAL CALORIES (per day) TOTAL FAT*(in grams) SATURATED FAT**(in grams)
1,500 50 15
1,800 60 18
2,000 65 20
2,500 80 25*Amounts are equal to 30 percent of total calories (rounded down to the nearest 5); the recommendation is to eat this much or less.
** Amounts are equal to 9 percent of total calories; the recommendation is to eat less than 10 percent of total calories as saturated fat. Each gram of fat is equal to 9 calories.

http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/education/hdwmncho.htm

[Naughty Nurse]

These were 2 great posts!

[hippydonna]

good info.