You may think you're doing your body a world of good by eliminating all fat from your diet -- but the truth is you may be missing out on important health benefits tied to certain types of fat--the "good" fats. Fat is the umbrella term for harmful fats like saturated fat and trans fat, as well as healthy fats likes monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. What makes a fat "good" or" bad" from one perspective is how it affects the level of cholesterol in your blood. Studies show that eating too much saturated fat and trans fat - the 'bad' fats - can increase your risk for developing certain diseases--mainly heart disease. Mono-unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, on the other hand, can actually lower your risk for heart disease and other chronic diseases.