We often read the words “Trans Fat” in health articles and hear it in the doctor's office after receiving our blood test results. But what is it really? Consider this article your ultimate guide to trans fats and how it can affect your body and health.
What are Trans Fats?
There are two broad types of trans fats in foods; one is naturally occurring and the other is artificial. Naturally-occurring trans fats are produced in the gut of some animals and foods made from these animals. Artificial trans fats (or trans fatty acids) are created in an industrial process that adds hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid.
Is it bad for my health?
Trans fats raise your bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and lower your good (HDL) cholesterol levels, which means it increases your risks of developing heart disease and stroke. It’s also associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
How often am I actually consuming trans fats?
Food producers use it because it is easy to use, inexpensive, can last a long time and ultimately makes food taste better! It’s very common for restaurants and fast-food outlets to use oil with trans fats to deep fry foods. Other than that, it tends to be in baked goods like cakes, pie crusts, biscuits, frozen pizza, cookies, crackers, and stick margarines, and other spreads. It’s even possible to be in your everyday breads, pastas and rice.
How do I limit my daily trans fats and lower my risks of heart disease?
The American Heart Association recommends cutting back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet, and preparing lean meats and poultry without added saturated and trans fat.
You can also get your hands on products with ZERO trans fats. Start your day right with a breakfast with no trans fats.
1. Our Nut Mixes and Trail Mixes are packed with healthy fats that can reduce heart disease
- Pandan Coconut Nut Mix
- Coconut Curry Lime Nut Mix
- Miso Seaweed Nut Mix
- Sweet Chilli Nut Mix
- Antioxidant Berry Trail Mix
- Nutty Protein Trail Mix
- Immunity Booster Trail Mix
2. Almonds especially reduce cholesterol
3. Along with having zero trans fats, oatmeal lowers the risk of heart disease and bad cholesterol