| Trans-fats, more commonly seen on ingredient lists as | | | | As a result, products which are near zero can simply |
| partially-hydrogenated oils, are being eliminated from | | | | reduce the serving size until the requirement is met. |
| our foods as news about their harmful effects | | | | The answer is to spend a few more minutes at the |
| spreads. These oils (which, incidentally, are not found in | | | | store and devote it to reading package labels. If you |
| nature) have been modified from their organic state by | | | | see "partially hydrogenated" anything, it is a red flag |
| the addition of hydrogen. When hydrogen atoms are | | | | that the product contains trans-fats. Look, instead, for |
| added to unsaturated fats, it does extend the shelf life | | | | monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, primarily |
| of those fats, making them a much more attractive | | | | from vegetable oils, if possible. Olive oil is an excellent |
| product to our prepared-food society. They also are | | | | source of healthy fats (e.g., olive-oil based fats), |
| solid at room temperature, becoming liquid only when | | | | especially for cooking or salad dressings. And above |
| heated or consumed. | | | | all, as in everything, moderation is the key. A limited |
| However, that convenience comes with a cost. Human | | | | amount of natural oils that your body can process will |
| bodies were never built to process these modified | | | | serve you well. Remember, our bodies need a certain |
| fats. The trans-fats take much longer to break down | | | | amount of fat to remain healthy - just not as much as |
| in our bodies than more natural fats, providing additional | | | | we have historically ingested. |
| time to be deposited in our arteries. This, of course, | | | | Snack foods have been the primary carriers of |
| can quickly lead to blockages of those arteries | | | | trans-fats, and the primary culprits behind weight gain |
| because of the built-up fatty deposits. The incidence of | | | | and heart disease. Healthy snacking is exceedingly |
| coronary artery disease has skyrocketed in the United | | | | simple - it requires shopping in different aisles-the |
| States, with most health providers pointing to trans-fats | | | | produce aisle for organic produce: apples, oranges, |
| in our food as one part of the problem. | | | | celery, carrots, bananas, raisins, plums and nuts, the fish |
| These fats have become such a significant part of our | | | | aisle for fresh fish replete with essential fatty acids, for |
| lifestyle, though, that it can be hard to find products | | | | meat products red meat or poultry from animals raised |
| without such additives. Even the seemingly safe | | | | in a free-range, non-hormonal environment. |
| packages that advertise "zero" trans-fats contain | | | | Add exercise to the new dietary regimen and you will |
| same, because the FDA allows up to half a gram per | | | | soon see a leaner you emerging from the trans-fat |
| serving before the ability to use the "zero" label is lost. | | | | past! |