The Real Scoop On Trans Fat

The Real Scoop On Trans Fat

The Real Scoop On Trans Fat

"Trans Fat-Free!" You've undoubtedly seen these words on the packaging of various food items at your local grocery store. Food companies nowadays are eager to assure you, the consumer, that their products are free of trans fat. But what is trans fat, and why should you care if your groceries are free of it?Trans Fat: Terrible!Trans fat, or "trans fatty acids", are hazardous to your health. Consumption of the stuff has been linked to high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Such conditions leave you vulnerable to heart attack and stroke, two of our nation's biggest killers.Types of Trans Fat:In spite of the fact that many foods are trans fat-free, trans fat still exists in plenty of items on your grocer's shelves. There are two types of trans fat to watch out for: artificially-created trans fat (found in "hydrogenated" and "partially hydrogenated" vegetable oil), and naturally-occurring trans fat (found in meat and dairy products).Artificially-Created Trans Fat:The deadliest type of trans fat, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, is man-made. During the process of hydrogenation, a chemical reaction causes harmful fatty acids to infiltrate vegetable oil. Despite mounting evidence that even small amounts of partially hydrogenated oil raise cholesterol and predispose consumers to disease, some food companies continue to use this hazardous substance in their products.Naturally-Occurring Trans Fat:Trans fat occurs naturally in meat and dairy products. Although consuming large amounts of animal-derived trans fat is considered unwise, newer studies suggest that there may be some benefit to consuming small amounts of naturally-occurring trans fat.Trans Fat History:Once upon a time, when partially hydrogenated vegetable oil was in its infancy, dietary experts believed they had discovered the perfect replacement for saturated fat. Margarine became a glorified alternative to butter. Makers of packaged cookies, cakes, and crackers ditched shortening and lard in favor of partially hydrogenated oil. As time passed, however, researchers discovered a myriad of negative health effects associated with trans fat consumption. Trans fat, they found, is no better for you than saturated fat; in fact, it may be worse.Saturated Fat: It's Back:Food manufacturers rely on fat to give their packaged products texture and taste. Since health-conscious consumers have turned up their noses at partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, saturated fats have made a comeback. Check the ingredient lists of your favorite trans fat-free products to see if trans fats have been replaced with saturated fats like butter, lard, and shortening.Trans Fat: It Might Still Be There:The United States Food and Drug Administration requires food manufacturers to report trans fat content on a nutritional label. But there's a catch: servings that contain under half a gram of trans fat do not have to be reported. In other words, a serving of two small cookies containing .49 grams of trans fat may legally be advertised "trans fat-free". Eat four cookies, and you've ingested almost an entire gram of trans fat. Eat the whole box, and your arteries may be under siege without you even knowing it!"Trans Fat-Free" Does Not Mean "Home Free":With all the scary evidence piling up against trans fat, food manufacturers today are scrambling for ways to keep their products on your "healthy" list. Some trans fat-free items are, indeed, healthy food choices. Other items give the illusion of being healthy when they are, in fact, just as bad for you as any saturated-fat product. Monitoring your intake of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil and saturated fat is the best way to protect yourself from high cholesterol, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Read the ingredient lists of all foods you buy, and keep your eyes peeled for words like "shortening", "lard", and "hydrogenated oil". "Trans Fat-Free!" is a marketing ploy; don't rely on this advertising slogan to protect your health.

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