How to avoid Trans Fats

Trans Fats are BAD!!! They are in virtually ALL processed foods and have been shown to cause strokes and heart attacks as well as numerous other health issues! On that note, it is important to know how to reduce your intake of trans fats to reduce the negative effects it is likely having on your health! Another bonus is that by cutting trans fats you may drop a few pounds as well! Trans fats have been linked to weight gain especially around the midsection which causes crowding in the internal organs leading to problems down the road. Also, by eliminating trans fats, you will likely be eliminating the cause of much weight gain i.e- cookies, cakes, pies, fries, the list goes on....and you shouldn't be eating those things anyway, shame on you!
Trans fats are formed in a process called hydrogenation, which converts an unsaturated liquid fat into a solid one. This lengthens the shelf life, so it’s ideal for restaurants and food manufacturers. However, the body treats hydrogenated fat like saturated fat,which is known to clog arteries, raise your cholesterol, and increase your risk of heart disease and other conditions. Trans fat not only raises your LDL (bad) cholesterol, but it actually lowers to HDL cholesterol as well!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Definitely cut back on your consumption of fried, processed, and commercial foods! These foods are ever growing in popularity and availability, so it is difficult to find food that does NOT have some amount of trans fat. Your favorite cookies, chips, donuts, or basically any food that you know is considered "unhealthy" is going to have trans fats. Fast food joints notoriously use it to create their deep fried "heart attacks" and french fries because it is cheap and helps the "food" last longer.

2. Read those labels!!! Nutrition labels on food packages can be deceiving if you don't know what you are looking at. In 2006, food manufacturers were required to list trans fats on their products' labels- however, the FDA allows them to list it as "0" if their trans fat is at .5 grams or less. Well, .5 grams adds up if you eat a few donuts too many! Even if it says zero on the label, you may be ingesting ridiculously unhealthy amounts of it! Also, it may be under the guise of names such as "partially hydrogenated", "hydrogenated vegetable oil", or "shortening". This is a sure sign that the food has trans fats. Simply, put the food down, turn away, and run.

3. When eating out- skip the deep fried foods. Deep fryers are trans fat heaven. Opt for grilled, broiled, or baked. There is a whole world of foods and flavors out there that won't punish you with a stroke for eating them! If you must have your fish fry, request a healthier oil be used.

4. Try using Canola or heart healthy Olive oil when cooking at home instead of margarine(another trans-fatty). It will make your food taste like, well...food! Bon appetit!

Tips & Warnings

• Trans Fats are BAD!!! BAD BAD BAD! They are the product of a commercially greedy society trying to pinch a few pennies while turning the world population into McFatty Time bombs!
• They increase risk of diabetes - there is scientific evidence which suggests that trans fat consumption can lead to insulin resistance and ultimately increase your risk of developing type-2 diabetes.
• Promotes the inflammatory response – this is an overstimulation of the immune system that has been implicated in heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
• Increases LDL (Bad cholesterol) and decreases HDL (Good cholesterol)

[healthymomof5]

on 1/29/2009 Excellent info!5*

[Rachellewms]

on 1/27/2009 This is going to be hard, but I know I need to cut the trans fat out of my diet. Thanks for sharing, 5 Stars!