Just because the label says "No Trans Fat," experts say you still need to read nutritional information.
Banning trans-fats has become not only a nation-wide trend, but a global one as well. Major American cities such as New York and Philadelphia are in the process of completely banning trans-fatty foods in restaurants and more cities are set to follow suit.
“You may not know exactly what you are eating when dining out, but we have the ability to control what we are putting into our bodies at home by simply reading food labels,” says Lindsey Stromberg, Registered Dietician at Cooper University Hospital.
Urgency for the ban stems from unwavering statistics which show a strong correlation between high intakes of trans-fatty food and an increased risk of liver disease, obesity, diabetes, and especially heart disease.
Stromberg explains, “There are two kinds of trans-fats: one originating from partially hydrogenated oils; and the other which is found naturally in some animal-based foods such as meats (any meat coming from hoofed animals) and milk, which are also high in saturated fat. According to the latest research, meat has trace amounts of trans-fat. This needs to be a reminder that all meat should be eaten in moderation, about 2-3 oz, or 3 cups per day.”
Simple guidelines for health conscious consumers on how to avoid a high-trans-fats diet:
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According to the FDA, anything less than .5 grams can be labeled “0 TRANS FAT."
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Always read food labels and combine the grams of saturated fat and trans-fat and look for the lowest combined amounts.
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Eating more than one serving can potentially exceed the amount recommended by the American Heart Association, which is a daily intake of less than 2 grams of trans-fat a day.
Trans-fats deriving from partially hydrogenated oils are a man-made ingredient added to increase the shelf life and flavor stability of foods. This includes cookies, pastries, stick margarine, Crisco, snacks, and other processed foods.
“Make sure you are talking to your doctor about the affects your diet can have on your health. It may make you think twice before grabbing that second piece of cake,” said Stromberg.
To make an appointment with a Cooper University Hospital physician at an office near you, please call 1-800-8-COOPER (800-826-6737) to speak with a member of our physician referral and information service.