Find the fat facts with Flora

Flora is launching a new online training kit aimed at helping kitchen staff in pubs and other outlets cut through the confusion about 'good' and 'bad' fats.

Increased interest in nutrition and health issues means pubs increasingly face customer enquiries about the type of fats used in items on the menu. While surveys show people are aiming to eat fewer fried foods, less butter and cut down on fat in general.

However, it's an issue which still leaves many food professionals, let alone consumers, puzzled. Not all fats are bad and consuming a certain amount of fat each day is essential.

Unilever Foodsolutions, owner of Flora, is launching the new online resource to help pub staff develop a better understanding of the issues and, hopefully, be better prepared for customer queries.

As well as nutritional information, it includes recipes and practical tips on using Flora spreads on the menu. There is also a fun, educational quiz. Operators who submit their team's answers online will receive a Flora POS Kit that includes a 'We've got our fats right' certificate and window sticker. In addition, there is a chance to win a spa day for two.

To download the online training kit, visit www.unileverfoodsolutions.co.uk and click on 'Flora' or text your contact details to 07781 480139.

Fast fat facts​

• The most sensible approach is to cut out fat that does not deliver essential nutrients. This includes fat in biscuits, crisps and full-fat dairy products
• Fat plays a valid role in the diet; fats are a source of energy and provide essential building blocks for the body's cells
• Fat adds taste and flavour to food
• Some types of fats eg polyunsaturates like omega 3 and 6 are essential fats that the body cannot make and must be consumed from the diet. They are needed to help maintain a healthy heart

Bad fats​

• Saturated fats​ can raise blood cholesterol levels, which in turn can lead to the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries. Saturated fats are found in butter and whole milk, fatty meat and meat products, biscuits, cakes, savoury snacks and confectionery.
• Trans fats​ increase levels of 'bad' LDL cholesterol and decrease levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol. Most trans fats in the diet are produced as a result of partial hydrogenation during food manufacturing processes and some are found naturally in meat and full fat milk and milk products. These fats are mainly found in processed foods like cakes, pastries, snacks and deep-fried foods.

Good fats​

• Polyunsaturated fats​ can help to lower cholesterol as part of a healthy diet. Some polyunsaturated fats are 'essential' as they cannot be made by the body and therefore must be provided in the diet. Omega 3 and omega 6 fats are both types of polyunsaturated fats. Omega 3 fats are found in plant sources like rapeseed oil, soya bean oil, linseeds and linseed oil walnuts and green vegetables, and m marine sources such as oily fish like trout, mackerel, salmon, sardines, herrings and fresh tuna. Omega 6 essential fatty acids are found in seed oils like sunflower oil.
• Mono-unsaturated fats​ are a traditional part of the Mediterranean diet, which is considered 'heart healthy'. Olive oil, avocados and certain types of nuts are rich in mono-unsaturated fats.