Q: How can I be sure that the foods I am eating do not contain trans fat?
A: Trans fat, also known as partially hydrogenated oil, is made during food processing. A recent food labeling law requires that trans fat be listed on every food product. To ensure that the product you are consuming does not have trans fat, make sure the label says zero grams of trans fat and that the ingredients list does not contain the words “partially hydrogenated oil.” Even if the product says zero grams of trans fat, it can still have up to 0.49 grams of trans fat per serving. Trans fat lowers HDL (good) cholesterol and raises LDL (bad) cholesterol. The recommendation is to eat no more than 1 percent of total calories from trans fat, about 2 grams per day for the average person. Partially hydrogenated oil is found in everything from frozen biscuits to margarine, tortilla shells, pie crusts and crackers, so remember to read food labels and ingredients lists.
— Allison Knott, registered and licensed dietitian/nutritionist, Hamilton Medical Center, Dalton, Ga.
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