Originally published December 14 2005
Reporter provides thorough profile of the effects of trans fats
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Lisa Davis reports on trans fatty acids for the Star Telegram, and her thorough treatment of trans fat explains how these man-made fats have jeopardized the health of all Americans.
That, in essence, is trans fat, one of the worst types of fat out there, worse even than butter and lard.
Beginning Jan. 1, the Food and Drug Administration is requiring food labels to list trans fat, right underneath saturated fat and cholesterol.
It turns out that butter is more healthful than margarine, and lard is better than shortening.
They're in practically every single package of crackers or cookies in the supermarket.
Preferably less than 1 percent of total calories.
Unfortunately, the new labeling requirements won't help much on that count.
The FDA believes there is not sufficient research to establish a number value.
Perhaps, too, you're realizing how kid-friendly this list of foods is.
Two years ago, a California group called BanTransFats.com sued the makers of Oreos, specifically to protect children from trans fat.
The group acknowledged that parents today do not have total control over what their kids eat.
Trans fat is made when manufacturers turn a liquid oil into a solid fat (think vegetable shortening and stick margarine).
Manufacturers have been using hydrogenated oils for about 20 years now.
It's possible to make packaged foods without hydrogenated oils -- heck, Crisco has even figured out how to make a trans-fat-free shortening -- but it's not necessarily easy.
Restaurants prefer to fry foods in hydrogenated oils, rather than liquid vegetable oil, because hydrogenated oils last longer.
McDonald's has managed to reduce the fat content of its chicken nuggets and other fried chicken foods.
But it hasn't made more headway because: 1) there's not a big enough supply of healthful oil to meet McDonald's demand, and 2) the foods don't taste quite the same.
Parkay: Trans-fat-free softspread margarines are Original Spread, Light Spread, Calcium Spread, Original Squeeze, Fat Free Spray.
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