TRANS-FATS

By Roz Burnham, C.N.

Certified Nutritionist

972-365-6100

Trans- fats are partially hydrogenated oils prevalent in many types of processed and fast foods.

Look for trans-fats in these products:  cake mixes, canned icings, cereal bars, chips, crackers, dried soup mix, fast foods, frozen dinners, margarine, non- dairy creamers, whipped toppings, packaged cookies, candies, doughnuts, pies, cakes, muffins, coffee cakes, microwave popcorn, spice mixes, instant potatoes, instant noodle dinners, rice mixes, canned soups  and other packaged foods.

Careful label reading will help you to eliminate many trans- fats from your shopping cart.

  Check the products in your home pantry and read the food labels.  Discard items which list trans-fats. 

 When you grocery shop, read food labels before you purchase a product.If you see trans-fats listed, check a similar product to see if it is trans-fat free. Many times one brand may be high in trans-fats, while another may contain little or none.

You can identify trans-fats by the words:  partially hydrogenated oil in the list of ingredients. Note where on the list of ingredients you see partially hydrogenated oils as this will indicate how much is in the product.

New food labels must list the grams of trans-fats on the label.

Also look for a trans-fat free designation on the front of the package.

Why should you be concerned about trans-fats?

New research has linked trans-fats to increased bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol which raises heart attack risk. 

A study by Harvard University finds that high intake of trans-fats (5.5 grams or 2 tablespoons daily) will increase heart attack risk by 50%.  It will also increase full body inflammation which is a risk factor for heart disease, pre -diabetes and adult onset diabetes