Weil Nutrition Corner

Weil Nutrition Corner

Is Saturated Fat Really That Bad For You?

Our Takes + Swap List and Recipe!

Dr. Andrew Weil & Diana Weil's avatar
Dr. Andrew Weil & Diana Weil
Sep 10, 2025
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Happy Wednesday! Today, we’re diving into the topic of saturated fat. Once widely viewed as a fat to avoid at all costs, the conversation has shifted a bit. In this post, we’ll share our perspectives on saturated fat, how much belongs in a balanced diet, the most common food sources, and simple swaps to help you keep your intake at a healthy level. Plus a recipe that uses some of those healthier swaps!

We want to know: How much saturated fat do you feel OK about eating? Share in the comments.

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Is Saturated Fat Really That Bad For You?

Dr. Weil's Take:

I often say that saturated fat isn’t the devil it’s sometimes made out to be, especially when your diet is rich in monounsaturated fats, omega-3s, antioxidants, and whole foods. I’ve long recommended that you think of having a saturated fat budget, with about 10 percent of your daily calories being a reasonable cap. You get to decide where to “spend” that - on quality cheese, a bit of butter, ice cream, maybe an occasional organic, grass-fed steak. Then consume the rest of your fats as those that support health: olive oil, oily fish, nuts, and avocados.

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