Public Enemy # 1 :`(

The terrible truth about trans fat


Until now, you may not have known much about the demon called “trans fat.” But what you don’t know could kill you! Find out why you’re much better off completely eliminating this proven killer from your diet and where you can find it lurking in your daily meals.
Don't be the next victimCookies, cakes, and pies! Oh, my! It’s hard to resist the overwhelming appeal of junk food, fast food, and comfort food. Sometimes there’s nothing better than a big jelly doughnut or a fresh hot order of french fries. Hungry yet? Before you finish off that bag of chips, get the real story on the trans fat demon. It’s a proven killer, and you could be its next victim!
Just what is trans fat and why is it so dangerous?Trans fat is the nickname for “partially hydrogenated” oils, an artificial fat that the food industry once thought was a cheap and safe alternative to saturated fats like butter or tropical oils. And it’s been used in all kinds of foods for decades. Trans fat is actually one part of the complete chemistry of partially hydrogenated oil, but it’s the most dangerous part. Research has found that while both trans fat and saturated fat are guilty of clogging arteries, only trans fat also reduces the good cholesterol that clears arteries. That makes trans fat twice as dangerous as the saturated fat it was designed to replace.Because trans fat decreases the good cholesterol while increasing the bad, it’s a double threat to your heart. One prominent research study estimated that if people replaced trans fat with nonhydrogenated polyunsaturated or monounsaturated oils, up to as many as 100,000 cardiac deaths a year in the United States may be prevented. That’s about 15 percent of the total number of cardiac deaths in the United States.It’s so unhealthy that some communities, like New York City, have barred restaurants from using artificial trans fat. Some fast-food chains have opted not to use trans fat in cooking oil.The risks are so serious that the Food and Drug Administration has said there is no healthy level of trans fat for our diets and ordered food companies to list trans fat amounts on food labels.
Giving trans fat the boot
So why don’t we just take the trans fat out of our food? Easier said than done! Not only has this liquid killer seeped into many of our foods, but it’s also made itself a good houseguest by being so versatile. It stays firm when it needs to, keeps food fresher longer, can take high heat without breaking down, and gives many foods a wonderful taste. Because it’s so popular and easy to work with, it’s a staple in the restaurant and fast-food industry.
Be your own trans fat sleuth
Although you’ll be able to see the trans fat totals on anything you buy in the store, it’s going to take some time for food companies and restaurants to wipe it out of their systems. It’s going to be time-consuming and expensive to find something else that tastes as good and works as well. In the meantime, you’re on your own to keep your trans fat consumption as low as possible.
Trans fat’s top 10
Here are the 10 foods highest in trans fat. Try to limit or eliminate these from your diet if at all possible and keep the killer at bay.
Cake mixes
Cereal and energy bars
Dried soups
Fast food
Frozen entrees
Margarine
Nondairy creamers and whipped toppings
Packaged cookies and candy
Packaged doughnuts, pies, and cakes
Potato chips and crackers – Source: Prevention magazine
The bottom line
Many popular foods contain a lot of trans fat. With a little effort and awareness, you can avoid the proven killer while still enjoying a satisfying and varied diet.
Other links:
These links are a must read.

Trans fat: Avoid this cholesterol double whammy
Healthy Heart – Avoid Trans Fat
All About Fats