| Trans fats are artificial fats formed when vegetable oil | | | | diabetes). |
| hardens through a process called hydrogenation. | | | | Here are some tips to help you eliminate trans fat |
| Trans-fatty acids are found in fried foods, commercial | | | | from your diet: |
| baked goods (donuts, cookies, crackers), processed | | | | 1. Don't eat any food that says "partially hydrogenated |
| foods, and margarine. Food companies use them | | | | oil" or "shortening" in the ingredients list on the label. |
| because they're cheap and they made foods more | | | | 2. Even though the label may say zero trans fats, it |
| shelf-stable. | | | | may not be accurate. If the words "partially |
| However, these are the worst type of fats for your | | | | hydrogenated oil" or "shortening" are in the ingredients |
| health! Trans fats increase the amount of | | | | list, it DOES contain trans fat (FDA regulations in effect |
| artery-clogging LDL ("bad") cholesterol and lower your | | | | in the U.S. allows companies to declare "0" if trans fat |
| amount of HDL ("good") cholesterol, which is why they | | | | amount per serving is under .5 grams). |
| increase your chance of heart disease more than any | | | | 3. While eating at restaurants, ask if they use partially |
| other type of fat. The scary part is, researchers | | | | hydrogenated oil for frying or baking or in salad |
| believe there are many more negative health effects | | | | dressings. If they say they use vegetable oil, ask |
| of trans fats that aren't known just yet (including | | | | whether it is partially hydrogenated. |
| increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and | | | | |