0g Trans Fat vs. No Trans Fat
What is trans fat? Trans fat (trans fatty acids) is a type of processed fat that does not occur in nature. It is vegetable oil that has been treated with hydrogen to make it more solid and to give it a longer shelf life. You’ll find trans fat in the form of “partially hydrogenated oil” on an ingredients list for many snack cakes, crackers, chips, cookies, margarine, etc. Trans fat has been linked to heart disease and cardiovascular disease. It lowers your good cholesterol and raises your bad cholesterol, which is extremely unhealthy. Read more at Ban Trans Fats.
You’ll see a lot of labels out there claiming to have “0g Trans Fat!” Unfortunately, the government says you only have to list trans fat if it is at minimum of 1/2 a gram. So, if there is 0.49g of trans fat in a product, they can get away with saying “0.” Tricky, tricky. The way to look for trans fat is to read the ingredients list. If you find “partially hydrogenated oil” on the label, put it back. My best friend and I raided our pantries and I found quite a few of the foods I ate regularly to have it, such as peanut butter. Then I spent 3 hours in the grocery store checking labels. Nothing is more important to me than my kids’ health.
If you see “No Trans Fat” on the label, look no further. No means no, not even .01g. For the label to say this, trans fat cannot be present at all.
Peanut butter is a necessary food. It’s very good for you (except that trans fat addition) and goes with so many other foods. But there is an alternative. They now have “natural” peanut butter that tastes just as good as regular peanut butter and doesn’t need to be put into the fridge. That day I sat in the grocery store I looked through all the “natural” peanut butters and rested on 1 brand, Skippy Natural. Unlike the others I saw, this one was exactly like regular peanut butter, but the only 2 ingredients were peanuts and salt. I chose it over all the others because it was the only one that didn’t need to be stirred.
Please keep in mind, trans fat should be consumed in moderation. If you have a food you simply cannot live without, try and make it the only food you keep with trans fat. For me, it’s my Country Crock margarine.
- 09/02: Pirate Brands Potato Flyers
- 09/02: Spelt Right Baking
- 09/02: Stretch Island Fruit Co.
My doritos say 0g trans fat. I guess that’s a good thing?
No, 0g means they DO have trans fat.
Go for Sun Chips Garden Salsa.
I’ve been wanting to try the “natural” peanut butters but always assumed they wouldn’t be as good. Thanks for the recommendation!
Oooo ok. Thanks.
Holy Cow. I had never thought to question it. Yep, .5 rounded down is indeed Zero and not the same as NONE. I’m off to e-mail this post to my mom and sister.
I never understood any thing about trans fat, how sad is that? This post is pretty good.. I will be sure to pass it around to friends/family.