The New Scary Word: Trans Fat

The Food and Drug Administration now requires food manufacturers to list trans fat on Nutrition Labels. Scientific evidence shows that consumption of saturated fat, trans fat, and dietary cholesterol raises low-density lipoprotein (bad) cholesterol levels which increase the risk of coronary heart disease. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, over 12.5 million Americans suffer from coronary artery disease, with more than 500,000 dying each year. This makes coronary heart disease one of the leading causes of death. The FDA has required that saturated fat and dietary cholesterol be listed on food labels since 1993. Beginning in 2006 trans fat will be added to the Nutrition panel of foods. This will help customers make better decisions when it comes to choosing heart healthy foods.

You may be wondering “what is trans fat and why is it so bad for you?” Unlike other fats, the majority of it is formed when liquid oils are made into solid fats like shortening and hard margarine. However, a small amount of it is found naturally, primarily in some animal-based foods. Essentially, it is made when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil-a process called hydrogenation. Hydrogenation increases the shelf life and flavor stability of foods containing these fats.

It can also often be found in processed foods made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils such as vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, candies, cookies, snack foods, fried foods, and baked goods.

When it comes to choosing foods, you should look for items that are low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and trans fat. Although it is impossible to eliminate all of these from your diet, your ability to be a food label detective can lead to a much healthier lifestyle.

Tip: If you are in the grocery store and most of the items you are adding to your basket come from the center aisles then you are getting too much of the fats. Try to shop around the perimeter of the grocery store, this will lead to much healthier choices.