Low-Fat Fats & Oils Guide

23 items classified under standard Low-Fat guidelines.

How do fats & oils fare on the Low-Fat diet? The answer depends on total fat content per serving. This guide breaks down all 23 items in this category with their classification, nutritional data, and the reasoning behind each status.

Quick Reference

Food Status Total fat (per 100g)
Avocado Oil Limited 100g
Canola Oil Limited 100g
Cooking Spray Limited 78.7g
Grapeseed Oil Limited 100g
Olive Oil Limited 100g
Peanut Oil Limited 100g
Sesame Oil Limited 100g
Sunflower Oil Limited 100g
Vegetable Oil Limited 100g
Beef Tallow Not Allowed 14.9g
Butter Not Allowed 81.1g
Coconut Oil Not Allowed 99.1g
Duck Fat Not Allowed 4.6g
Flaxseed Oil Not Allowed 100g
Ghee Not Allowed 99.5g
Heavy Cream Not Allowed 36.1g
Lard Not Allowed 100g
Margarine Not Allowed 65g
MCT Oil Not Allowed 100g
Palm Oil Not Allowed 2.7g
Safflower Oil Not Allowed 100g
Shortening Not Allowed 100g
Walnut Oil Not Allowed 100g

Classification Breakdown

9 Limited — These items have fat content that varies by preparation or brand. 14 Not Allowed — These are high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets.

Modern low-fat practice distinguishes between fat types — olive oil, fatty fish, and nuts are often kept.

Limited Fats & Oils (9)

Avocado Oil

Limited

At 100g total fat per 100g, Avocado Oil falls into the Limited category under Low-Fat guidelines. It is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. Beyond the primary classification, avocado oil also provides 100g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Flaxseed Oil and Canola Oil for total fat, ranking 11 of 23. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
11.6gSat. Fat

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Canola Oil

Limited

At 100g total fat per 100g, Canola Oil falls into the Limited category under Low-Fat guidelines. The classification reflects that it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. Nutritionally, it also delivers 100g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Avocado Oil and Grapeseed Oil for total fat, ranking 12 of 23. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
6.6gSat. Fat

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Cooking Spray

Limited

Cooking Spray is classified as Limited on Low-Fat, with 78.7g total fat per 100g. This means it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. It also contains 78.7g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Margarine and Butter for total fat, ranking 6 of 23. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

792kcalCalories
0.3gProtein
78.7gFat
20.7gCarbs
5gSat. Fat

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Grapeseed Oil

Limited

With 100g total fat per 100g, Grapeseed Oil earns a Limited classification on Low-Fat. This means it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Canola Oil and Olive Oil for total fat, ranking 13 of 23. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
9.6gSat. Fat

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Olive Oil

Limited

Olive Oil is classified as Limited on Low-Fat, with 100g total fat per 100g. The classification reflects that it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. Nutritionally, it also delivers 100g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Grapeseed Oil and Peanut Oil for total fat, ranking 14 of 23. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSat. Fat
Extra Virgin884kcal0g100g0g13.8g
Light/Refined884kcal0g100g0g13.8g

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Peanut Oil

Limited

At 100g total fat per 100g, Peanut Oil falls into the Limited category under Low-Fat guidelines. The classification reflects that it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. Nutritionally, it also delivers 100g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Olive Oil and Sesame Oil for total fat, ranking 15 of 23. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
16.2gSat. Fat

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Sesame Oil

Limited

With 100g total fat per 100g, Sesame Oil earns a Limited classification on Low-Fat. This means it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Peanut Oil and Sunflower Oil for total fat, ranking 16 of 23. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
14.2gSat. Fat

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Sunflower Oil

Limited

With 100g total fat per 100g, Sunflower Oil earns a Limited classification on Low-Fat. This means it is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Sesame Oil and Vegetable Oil for total fat, ranking 17 of 23. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
9gSat. Fat

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Vegetable Oil

Limited

At 100g total fat per 100g, Vegetable Oil falls into the Limited category under Low-Fat guidelines. It is fat content that varies by preparation or brand. Beyond the primary classification, vegetable oil also provides 100g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for total fat. The nearest lower option is Sunflower Oil at 100g. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

862kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
81.5gSat. Fat

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Not Allowed Fats & Oils (14)

Beef Tallow

Not Allowed

Beef Tallow is classified as Not Allowed on Low-Fat, with 14.9g total fat per 100g. The classification reflects that it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. Nutritionally, it also delivers 14.7g protein and 14.9g fat per serving. Among the 23 items in this category, beef tallow sits at the low end for total fat — next closest is Heavy Cream at 36.1g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

198kcalCalories
14.7gProtein
14.9gFat
0.1gCarbs
4.7gSat. Fat

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Butter

Not Allowed

At 81.1g total fat per 100g, Butter falls into the Not Allowed category under Low-Fat guidelines. The classification reflects that it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. Nutritionally, it also delivers 81.1g fat and 643mg sodium per serving. Within this category, it falls between Cooking Spray and Coconut Oil for total fat, ranking 7 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSat. Fat
Salted717kcal0.9g81.1g0.1g51.4g
Unsalted717kcal0.9g81.1g0.1g50.5g

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Coconut Oil

Not Allowed

With 99.1g total fat per 100g, Coconut Oil earns a Not Allowed classification on Low-Fat. This means it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. It also contains 99.1g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Butter and Ghee for total fat, ranking 8 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSat. Fat
Virgin (unrefined)892kcal0g99.1g0g82.5g
MCT Oil862kcal0g100g0g97g

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Duck Fat

Not Allowed

Duck Fat is classified as Not Allowed on Low-Fat, with 4.6g total fat per 100g. The classification reflects that it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. Nutritionally, it also delivers 18.7g protein per serving. Among the 23 items in this category, duck fat sits at the low end for total fat — next closest is Beef Tallow at 14.9g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

136kcalCalories
18.7gProtein
4.6gFat
3.5gCarbs
1.4gSat. Fat

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Flaxseed Oil

Not Allowed

Flaxseed Oil is classified as Not Allowed on Low-Fat, with 100g total fat per 100g. This means it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Ghee and Avocado Oil for total fat, ranking 10 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0.1gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
9gSat. Fat

Compare Flaxseed Oil across all diets

Ghee

Not Allowed

Ghee is classified as Not Allowed on Low-Fat, with 99.5g total fat per 100g. This means it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. It also contains 99.5g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Coconut Oil and Flaxseed Oil for total fat, ranking 9 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

876kcalCalories
0.3gProtein
99.5gFat
0gCarbs
61.9gSat. Fat

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Heavy Cream

Not Allowed

With 36.1g total fat per 100g, Heavy Cream earns a Not Allowed classification on Low-Fat. It is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. Beyond the primary classification, heavy cream also provides 36.1g fat per 100g. Among the 23 items in this category, heavy cream sits at the low end for total fat — next closest is Margarine at 65g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsSat. Fat
Heavy Cream340kcal2.8g36.1g2.8g23g
Light Cream195kcal3g19.1g3.7g10.2g

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Lard

Not Allowed

Lard is classified as Not Allowed on Low-Fat, with 100g total fat per 100g. This means it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for total fat. The nearest lower option is Vegetable Oil at 100g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

902kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
39.2gSat. Fat

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Margarine

Not Allowed

With 65g total fat per 100g, Margarine earns a Not Allowed classification on Low-Fat. This means it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. It also contains 65g fat and 694mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 23 items in this category, margarine sits at the low end for total fat — next closest is Cooking Spray at 78.7g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

579kcalCalories
0.2gProtein
65gFat
0.8gCarbs
12.9gSat. Fat

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MCT Oil

Not Allowed

With 100g total fat per 100g, MCT Oil earns a Not Allowed classification on Low-Fat. This means it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for total fat. The nearest lower option is Lard at 100g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
7.4gSat. Fat

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Palm Oil

Not Allowed

At 2.7g total fat per 100g, Palm Oil falls into the Not Allowed category under Low-Fat guidelines. This means it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. Among the 23 items in this category, palm oil sits at the low end for total fat — next closest is Duck Fat at 4.6g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

134kcalCalories
2.6gProtein
2.7gFat
24.8gCarbs
0.7gSat. Fat

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Safflower Oil

Not Allowed

With 100g total fat per 100g, Safflower Oil earns a Not Allowed classification on Low-Fat. This means it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for total fat. The nearest lower option is MCT Oil at 100g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
7.7gSat. Fat

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Shortening

Not Allowed

With 100g total fat per 100g, Shortening earns a Not Allowed classification on Low-Fat. This means it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for total fat. The nearest lower option is Safflower Oil at 100g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
25gSat. Fat

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Walnut Oil

Not Allowed

With 100g total fat per 100g, Walnut Oil earns a Not Allowed classification on Low-Fat. This means it is high enough in total fat that modest portions push past the diet's targets. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for total fat. The nearest lower option is Shortening at 100g.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
9.1gSat. Fat

Compare Walnut Oil across all diets