How to Avoid Trans Fats

What is trans fat?

Trans fats are unsaturated fats that are similar to saturated fats, judging from their chemical structure. The difference, trans fats, can increase the risk of heart disease by raising bad cholesterol (LDL) and lower good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood.

Generally, trans fats can be found in small amounts in dairy products, beef, veal, sheep, and goats.

Artificial or synthetic trans fats can be found in industrial products caused by the processing of fats and oils. Trans fats are found in foods with hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as fried foods or baked.

What should I do to avoid trans fats?

To make butter substitute, a food company uses vegetable oil in a hydrogenation process. The addition of hydrogen to make the product more solid and not easily damaged. However, when the hydrogenation process is done and trans fats like butter spread, they can produce saturated fat. This can prevent the elimination of bad cholesterol in the blood and lower good cholesterol. As a result, the food contains trans fats can increase the risk of heart disease and some cancers.

To reduce consumption of saturated fat in children, avoid trans fats and use oils and margarine. Since 2006, The Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has requested the information on trans fats in the nutrition facts label on food, so always check the trans fat in the product you want to buy.