Trans fat is one of the dirtiest words in the world of healthy eating, and has been called everything from the most dangerous fat eaten today to outright poison. The reasons are well-known by now, too. It increases bad cholesterol levels and lowers good cholesterol levels, leading to heart disease and clogged arteries. Most experts recommend cutting out virtually all trans fat or, at the very least, cutting it down to as little as possible.
And for the most part, people manage to have some success at doing just that. Since today’s laws require trans fat to be included on nutritional labels, shoppers can get a clear idea of just how much trans fat they’re ingesting with each meal.
While there are plenty of products out there that proudly proclaim things like ‘zero trans fats’ on the label or packaging, numerous companies continue to produce foods that are incredibly dangerous and filled with this deadly ingredient.
Some of these products may surprise you. While things like microwave popcorn or fast food are obvious culprits, trans fat creeps into plenty of places you might not expect it to be. Things like frozen premade pies, ready to bake cookie dough, pie crusts, and even cake frosting may be packed full of trans fats.
So how to you avoid them? The easy answer is to spend an extra couple of minutes looking at the labels before you buy. If a product has any number other than a zero for its trans fat level, you may want to look elsewhere. And if partially hydrogenated oil is included in the ingredients list, steer clear. Often, there are plenty of alternative options available that are very similar but much better for your body. Trans fats are enough to scare any nutritional expert, and they should frighten you a bit as well if you care about your health. Don’t get led into a trans fat trap when you go shopping.
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