Trans Fat

You may have heard about trans fats recently in the news. These fats made headlines when food manufacturers were required to list them on the Nutrition Facts Label in 2006.

So what's the story with trans fats? These fats are created during food processing when liquid oils are converted into solid fats — a process called hydrogenation. This creates partially-hydrogenated oils that tend to keep food fresh longer while on grocery shelves. The problem is that these partially-hydrogenated oils contain trans fats which can also increase low-density lipoprotein LDL-cholesterol and decrease high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — risk factors for heart disease.

Though some fried foods and commercially baked goods may contain trans fats, the good news is that some manufacturers have changed how they process foods to reduce the amounts of trans fats in their products. Be on the look out for foods that contain trans fats, such as commercially-baked cookies, crackers, and pies. Some commercial restaurants may also use partially-hydrogenated oils when frying their entrees and side items.

How do I control my trans fat intake?

You may find trans fats in commercial baked goods such as cookies, crackers, and pies. Some commercial restaurants may also use these partially-hydrogenated oils to fry their entrees and side items.

Here are some ideas on how to reduce the trans fat in your diet:

• Look for the Trans fat listing on the Nutrition Facts label. Compare brands and choose the one lowest in trans fat.
• Choose a soft margarine spread instead of stick margarine. Check your labels to be sure the soft margarine does contain less trans fat. If possible, find one that says zero grams of trans fat.

More Information on Fats

• Dietary Fat
• Saturated Fat
• Cholesterol
• Polyunsaturated Fats and Monounsaturated Fats

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