Toxic Trans Fat in Our Foods
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photocredits: mohrresults.com
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Recently, the press
has been abuzz with news about trans fats. In 2006, the US Government ruled
that any product containing trans fat must be labeled as such. Since then,
foods and restaurants have been scrambling to remove trans fats from their
products. But what do you actually know about these harmful fats, and how they
may be damaging your diet.
Trans fats are fats
with an extra molecule added during a manufacturing process. You know saturated
fat is bad - think of trans fats as super saturated fats. The chemical
engineering process used to create trans fat makes the fat much more shelf
stable. This makes trans fats an extremely convenient option for use in
restaurants and snack foods, since they do not break down like traditional fat.
However, this convenient fat becomes incredibly inconvenient when you take into
account the damage it does to the human body. Trans fats are truly a dangerous
food – to be avoided whenever possible.
Trans fats act in a
harmful way on your cholesterol levels. Trans fats raise your bad cholesterol.
There are many types of foods that do this, such as eggs, breakfast meats, and
fatty foods, so it may not seem like such a big deal. However, trans fats are
worse for you than that plate of bacon, as they also lower your goodcholesterol. This means that trans fats truly pack a double whammy – they harm
your body in two ways at the same time. Trans fat is an unnatural food that has
an unnatural effect on your body.
There’s good news,
however. Now, all foods that contain these harmful fats are required to state
so on the label. Makers of snack foods and frozen dinners, as well as
restaurant owners across the country, are revamping their recipes. This means
that there are more healthy options available, and it is easier to spot foods
that do contain these damaging fats.
It’s easier than
ever to remove trans fats from your diet. Take the time to read labels and
information on restaurant menus. Look specifically to see how much trans fat
your favorite foods contain. More and more foods are removing trans fat
completely. If your favorite has not, it may be time to find a new favorite!
Trans fats are dangerous, and need to be avoided at all costs – cut them out of
your diet today.
