Based partly on confusion of U.S. citizens about which fats are good for health and which fats are bad for health, the American Heart Association (AHA) developed the program “Better Fats Sisters” and “Bad Fats Brothers” as part of a national campaign called “Face the Fats.”

The Better Fats Sisters—Mon (for “mono-unsaturated fat”) and Poly (for “poly-unsaturated fat”) are the names of the two sisters representing GOOD fats—that is, fats that help a person maintain good health.

You can be introduced to Mon and Poly, the Better Fats Sisters, at their AHA website.

The AHA tells you that: “These gals are charmers in their own way--they look out for you and your heart. The sisters love it when you cook with the foods they're in, and they've got lots of great tips to share. Unlike their devious Bad Fats Brothers, they'll tell you like it is, including what you need to know to stay heart healthy.”

Polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat are good ("better") fats because they help to lower blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

High levels of LDL can lead to a build-up of plaque in arteries, which can lead to medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes.

Thus, LDL is commonly called “bad” cholesterol.

On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is often called “good” cholesterol because it does not lead to medical problems but helps people maintain a healthy lifestyle.

A "good" example of a polyunsaturated fat is soybean oil and a "good" example of monounsaturated fat is olive oil—both heart healthy fats.

What about the bad side of the family? Please read on.

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On the other side of the family tree, are the Bad Fat Brothers—Trans (for “trans fat”) and Sat (for “saturated fat”).

Their website, which tells of BAD fats, explains that “they may break your heart.”

These two brothers are also appealing but in a different way. The AHA says, “They’re a charming pair, Sat and Trans. But that doesn’t mean they make good friends. Read on to learn how they clog arteries and break hearts--and how to limit your time with them by avoiding the foods they’re in.”

Trans fats and saturated fats are “bad” (artery clogging) fats.

Trans fats include partially hydrogenated fat, while saturated fat includes palm oil and coconut oil.

These fats are found in many highly processed foods, French fries, fried foods (such as fried chicken), butter, and whole milk. Many fast food chain restaurants are well known to use these “bad” fats in the foods they prepare.

On the AHA website “Face the Fats,” they explain the different types of fats on “Fats 101,” calculate the amount of fats you should eat each day on “My Fats Translator,” and explain how to eat healthy in “Live Fat-Sensibly.”