Dietary fat is often portrayed as a villain – especially when you’re talking about weight control. We always hear that you should avoid fat. And the fact that most food manufacturers make fat-free or low-fat versions of your favorite foods only reinforces the notion that fat is bad. However, dietary fat plays an important role in the body. And eating the right kinds of fat, in the right amounts, is actually healthy.

Fats contribute to the flavor, texture, odor and palatability of foods. And...