Let’s Talk About Fats Again – Trans Fats

Being of no health benefits at all, trans fat is often a pervasive and often hidden ingredient in many food items.

It clogs the arteries and makes them more rigid. It not only increases the bad cholesterol (LDL) but also decrease the good cholesterol (HDL).

Eating too much trans fat will make one become possible victim of coronary heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Therefore, people are advised to consume no more than 2 g of trans fat a day, as recommended by The World Health Organization (WHO).

Though a small amount is naturally found in some animal-based foods such as meat and diary products, trans fat is mainly found in processed foods such as:

• Shortening
• Margarine
• Snack foods like crackers and cookies
• Fried food like French fries
• Fast food
• Baked goods
• Dairy creamer or coffee creamer
• Sweets
• Instant noodles, which are fried in palm oil

These foods are always sources of saturated fat as well.