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July 14, 2003 Trans Fats the newest demons in the food industry - are formed by the hydrogenation process which turns unsaturated liquid fat into a solid one giving it a longer shelf life which is a boon for restaurants and grocers shelves, but not for the human body. The body treats hydrogenated fat like bad saturated fat dumb body which has long been known to clog arteries and create heart attacks and strokes. For health and diet conscious Useless Knowledge writers, here are the top Trans Fat offenders, with a surprise or two, compiled by medical researcher, Jeanie Lerche Davis. Margarine and oleo stick margarine 2.8 grams of trans fat per tablespoon and 2.1 grams of saturated fat. Tub margarine has less, 0.6 grams of trans fat per tbs and 1.2 grams of saturated fat. Butter only has 0.3 grams of trans fat per tbs BUT, 7.2 grams of saturated fat. Seek out soft-tub margarines. Packaged Bake Goods Cake mixes and Bisquick have several grams of trans fat per serving. Look for reduced fat mixes or heat up you own oven. SOUPS Soup cups and Ramen noodles are very high in trans fats. This is a shocker! Gee, there goes our favorite quickie lunches! Buy reduced fat canned soups or get out your crock pot. FROZEN FOODS - Pot pies, dessert pies, waffles, pizzas even breaded fish sticks, sea foods and breaded anything contains trans fat even though the label says low fat. Banquet chicken Pot Pie has no trans fat. BAKED GOODS These are the worst offenders. They contain more trans fats than any other foods. Donuts, cream filled cookies, even pound cake. Theres really no alternative here, so take your chances. CHIPS and CRACKERS - Shortening provides the crisp and lots of trans fat. Think pretzels, toast and pita bread. BREAKFAST FOODS They may be quick fix-foods and energy bars but they are high in trans fats. Best bet is to read the labels. Get used to whole wheat toast and bagels. COOKIES and CANDY Chocolate is the biggest fat offender. Go for hard candy, jelly beans and gummy bars. If you are a chocoholic buy the dark stuff. I love semi-sweet and its better for your heart. TOPPINGS and DIPS Non-dairy creamers (another shocker), flavored coffees, whipped toppings, bean dips, gravy mixes and salad dressings are all trans fatty. Use skim or powdered milk and look for fat-free salad dressings. Olive oil does not contain trans fat. Come January 1st 2006, the FDA is requiring all food labels to list their trans fat content. Until then, you are on your own. ------------ About the author: Bobbie Hart ONeill is a retired print media journalist, CSU-Sacramento, 74, with 40 years experience in the field. She has worked as a reporter, feature writer, columnist, public relations writer, magazine/newsletter editor and publisher. She is currently a freelance writer residing in Yuma, Arizona and has published a childrens book, written three screenplays and a novel. In addition, she is interested in civic affairs, politics, current events, ethnology and animals. Email Bobbie: bobbieo@digitaldune.net Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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