Blog

When it comes to fat, trans fat is often considered by health professionals to be a double whammy on your health. Why? Trans fat not only raised your so-called “bad” cholesterol (LDL) but it lowers your “good” cholesterol (HDL), creating double the potential problems for heart disease.|

What is trans fat anyway?
Trans fat comes from a process called hydrogenation, which essentially adds hydrogen to vegetable oil. Trans fats are typically considered more solid than oil, making them less likely to spoil, meaning food can stay fresh longer. In the event of commercial foods, it also provides a longer shelf life and also gives products a less greasy feel. Commercial baked goods like cakes and cookies and fried foods such as french fries and doughnuts were typically prepared with trans fats. However, due to a growing awareness of the health dangers of trans fats, more food manufacturers are no longer using trans fat. But trans fat is still used in certain products, so you really should become informed and aware of what you’re eating. A best way to start is by carefully reading food labels on processed foods. The key is knowing what to look for.

Don’t expect the words “trans fat” to appear on most labels. Rather, look for descriptions that read “partially hydrogenated” vegetable oil, “hydrogenated” oil or the word “shortening.” It’s confusing, but a description that reads “fully” or “completely” hydrogenated oil actually means that there is no trans fat present. It’s the ambiguity of a description with words of “partially” or lack of saying fully or completely” that can mean trans oil may be present.

An increasing number of manufacturers are re-designing their labels to promote that their products are “trans-fat free” and something you should increasingly look for. However, nutritionists advise you still need to know what labels can mean. According to the Mayo Clinic, if a food made in the United States has less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving, the food label can say 0 grams of trans fat. While that’s a small amount, if you eat multiple servings of food with less than 0.5 grams of trans fat but greater than 0.0, then you could still exceed recommended limits.

Finally, just because a food is promoted as trans-fat free doesn’t mean it is healthy or low in calories or fat. Food manufacturers and restaurants are sometimes substituting other ingredients that may contain a lot of saturated fat — which isn’t good for you either.

(Yes, that picture above really is a krispy kreme bacon cheeseburger!!)