What are trans fats?
..Trans fats are chemically altered vegetable oils. They are produced artificially in a process called hydrogenation which turns liquid oil into solid fat.
Trans fats can be found in thousands of processed foods from sweets and biscuits to ready meals. They are used because they are cheap, add bulk to products, have a neutral flavour and give products a long shelf life. They have no nutritional value.
Are trans fats bad for you?
Trans fats have been linked to high cholesterol, which can lead to health conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.
A study suggests that trans fats can also increase the risk of fertility problems. Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, USA, say that consuming just 4g of trans fats every day can lead to infertility in women.
Avoiding trans fats
In Canada just like in the US, food producers are required to label this information. The trans fat content of products to be included on food labelling on every product sold to the public.
Trans fats can be formed during a process called hydrogenation. Hydrogenated fats must be declared on the label so if a product contains hydrogenated fats, it may contain trans fats. Look out for the words partially hydrogenated on food labels these products may also contain trans fats.
If you want to avoid trans fats you should:
•Avoid food like chips, cookies, chocolate bars that contain trans fats (labeled)
•avoid products that list hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated or shortenings on the label,
•include lots of fruit and vegetables in your diet,
•use fat-free or low-fat dairy products,
•avoid fast food, high and full fat margarine and baked goods such as doughnuts, pastries and biscuits,
•use lean cuts of meat and poultry and cook them without skin, without adding trans fats,
•use liquid vegetable oil for frying, and
•ask about trans fat content when eating at a restaurant or café.
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