Where are all the Trans Fats

A study published in the J of the American Dietetic Association in February 2009 by R. H. Eckel reported that 73% of Americans know trans fats are bad but only 21% could name three trans fats. That really doesn't surprise me because I don't know if people could identify saturated fats either.

Why are trans fat so bad for us? Well one reason is the double wamy, it raises LDL or bad cholesterol and lowers the good cholesterol, HDL.

So where do you find trans fats. You will find them on labels sometimes. Unfortunately the government allows a 20% margin of error on food labels and if is less that 1 gram per serving it will go unreported (or 0) on a label. So check out the servings per and the ingredients for more accurate information. You can find trans fats in some of our favorite comfort foods like french fries, cookies, pastries (they are also high in saturated fat) think about that next time you ask for a scone at your favorite coffeehouse. Crackers, doughnuts (my favorite white flour, deep fried and covered with simple sugar, healthy), vegetable shorting are all sources of trans fats.

So should you go cold turkey and give every thing up, heck no. Just be aware of what goes into your mouth and educate yourself on foods and how "your" body uses them ( or doesn't).

Eckel, R.H. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, February 2009; vol 109: pp 288-296. Robert H. Eckel, MD, professor of medicine, physiology, and biophysics, University of Colorado, Denver; lipid clinic director, University Hospital, Aurora, Colo.