What are trans fats?

There are basically 3 types of fats:

1. Saturated Fats: These fats are usually solid or almost solid at room temperature. Examples of saturated fats are animal fats and some vegetable oils like coconut. These are considered the unhealthy fats. Of the two types of cholesterol in the human body, saturated fats make the body produce more LDL cholesterol (which is considered the 'bad' cholesterol, as HDL is the 'good' cholesterol).

2. Unsaturated Fats: These fats are usually liquid at room temperature. There are two types of unsaturated fats:
   • Polyunsaturated fats: Oils such as corn, soybean, sunflower oils are polyunsaturated. Fish also contain polyunsaturated fats. These fats lower cholesterol over all, both the LDL and HDL.

   • Mono unsaturated fats: Oils such as vegetable oil, olive oil, canola and peanut oil. These oils lower the bad (LDL) cholesterol while they increase the good cholesterol (HDL).

3. Trans Fats: These are man-made fats created by injecting hydrogen gas into oil until it is partially solidified. This process is called hydrogenation. When the process is stopped before the oil becomes fully saturated it is referred to as partially hydrogenated. Trans fats decrease HDL and increase LDL, just the opposite of what we want to occur in our bodies.

Why are trans fats used?

Somewhere in the 1940's product manufacturers discovered they could improve taste and texture of their products by using trans fats. It made crackers crispier, margarine softer and more spreadable, and pie crusts flakier. They found it also prolonged the shelf of their products and it proved to be more economical in the manufacturing process than natural fats.

How do trans fats affect me?

Research suggests that there is a direct correlation between diets high in trans fats and diseases like high cholesterol and heart disease.

Imagine for a minute pouring lard down your kitchen sink. Maybe the first couple of times that you do this, your sink appears to be fine. However, repeat this process day after day, 3 to 4 times a day and you'll eventually clog your sink. Trans fats have a similar affect on the body. The arteries that feed your brain and your heart will slowly and systematically clog. As the blood circulation diminishes, disease excels.

How do we spot trans fats in our food?

• List of ingredients: Read the ingredients on the products you purchase. You may not see the word 'trans fat' but if you see 'hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated canola, soybean or cottonseed oil' you'll know that the product contains trans fat.

  The order in which the trans fat appears in the ingredient listing is also important. According to the FDA, ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance according to weight. This means that the ingredients that weigh the most in the particular product are listed first and those that weigh the least are listed last.

  If trans fat is listed within the first 3 or 4 ingredients, you know that the product contains a higher amount of trans fat than if it were listed last.

• Nutritional Fact Label: Effective 1/1/06 FDA requires product manufactures to include the amount of trans fat present on the Nutritional Fact label. Now consumers will be aware of just how much trans fats are in the products they are buying.

Tips on how to reduce/avoid trans fats:

• Be Aware: Know the foods that usually contain trans fats. Some are doughnuts, cupcakes, crackers, cookies, icing, microwave popcorn, pop tarts, muffin and fried foods

• Fast foods and restaurants: Be forewarned that when they say 'cooked in vegetable oil' they're not telling you whether it is partially hydrogenated or not. Ask.

• Eat Natural Foods: Whole foods and natural foods do not contain trans fats. Eat more fish, lean meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

• Perimeter Shop: When grocery shopping, stay around the perimeter of the store. Processed foods are generally found in the middle isles of the store.

• Go through your cupboard: Elicit the help of your children. Look at the products with trans fat and try to come up with healthier alternatives

• Nutritional labels: The lower the combined saturated and trans fat gram number the better. Additionally, the lower the cholesterol percentage, the better. Compare two or more brands of a particular product before buying.

• Plan ahead: In order to reduce trans fats from you diet, it will take planning. Rushing home from work, tired and frazzled from a hard day increases the
  Formulating Answers To Tough Interview Questions
  For all jobseekers facing an interviewer, the best thing is to prepare properly for the particular interview, based on the company where the interview is taking place. Good preparation includes the ability to anticipate tough interview questions, and then, knowing how to handle them.The interview questions most difficult for the average candidate to handle are those that are intended to probe weaknesses, or areas requiring the individual's improvement and/or development. The following are some examples of questions, which fall into this category:* What are your major weaknesses?* During a reference check, what would your boss likely cite as key areas for your
  contain polyunsaturated fats. These fats lower cholesterol over all, both the LDL and HDL.

• Mono unsaturated fats: Oils such as vegetable oil, olive oil, canola and peanut oil. These oils lower the bad (LDL) cholesterol while they increase the good cholesterol (HDL).

Why are trans fats used?

Somewhere in the 1940's product manufacturers discovered they could improve taste and texture of their products by using trans fats. It made crackers crispier, margarine softer and more spreadable, and pie crusts flakier. They found it also prolonged the shelf of their products and it proved to be more economical in the manufacturing process than natural fats.

How do trans fats affect me?

Research suggests that there is a direct correlation between diets high in trans fats and diseases like high cholesterol and heart disease.

Imagine for a minute pouring lard down your kitchen sink. Maybe the first couple of times that you do this, your sink appears to be fine. However, repeat this process day after day, 3 to 4 times a day and you'll eventually clog your sink. Trans fats have a similar affect on the body. The arteries that feed your brain and your heart will slowly and systematically clog. As the blood circulation diminishes, disease excels.

How do we spot trans fats in our food?

• List of ingredients: Read the ingredients on the products you purchase. You may not see the word 'trans fat' but if you see 'hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated canola, soybean or cottonseed oil' you'll know that the product contains trans fat.

  The order in which the trans fat appears in the ingredient listing is also important. According to the FDA, ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance according to weight. This means that the ingredients that weigh the most in the particular product are listed first and those that weigh the least are listed last.

  If trans fat is listed within the first 3 or 4 ingredients, you know that the product contains a higher amount of trans fat than if it were listed last.

• Nutritional Fact Label: Effective 1/1/06 FDA requires product manufactures to include the amount of trans fat present on the Nutritional Fact label. Now consumers will be aware of just how much trans fats are in the products they are buying.

Tips on how to reduce/avoid trans fats:

• Be Aware: Know the foods that usually contain trans fats. Some are doughnuts, cupcakes, crackers, cookies, icing, microwave popcorn, pop tarts, muffin and fried foods

• Fast foods and restaurants: Be forewarned that when they say 'cooked in vegetable oil' they're not telling you whether it is partially hydrogenated or not. Ask.

• Eat Natural Foods: Whole foods and natural foods do not contain trans fats. Eat more fish, lean meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

• Perimeter Shop: When grocery shopping, stay around the perimeter of the store. Processed foods are generally found in the middle isles of the store.

• Go through your cupboard: Elicit the help of your children. Look at the products with trans fat and try to come up with healthier alternatives

• Nutritional labels: The lower the combined saturated and trans fat gram number the better. Additionally, the lower the cholesterol percentage, the better. Compare two or more brands of a particular product before buying.

• Plan ahead: In order to reduce trans fats from you diet, it will take planning. Rushing home from work, tired and frazzled from a hard day increases the
  Six Steps To Better Memory
  When was the last time you walked into a room and forgot what you went there for? Have you recently been in a conversation with a really good friend and just couldn't come up with their name? Embarrassing? Yes. Alzheimer's? Probably not.Memory loss can be the result of a number of factors including aging, hormonal changes, diet, and trying to do too many things at once. The good news is that there are a number of steps you can take to improve your memory and slow it's decline as you age.-If you're not physically active, get moving. 2006 data from a study that began in the 1930's shows that moderate exercise (as little as two times a week!) can lower your chances
  al in the manufacturing process than natural fats.

  How do trans fats affect me?

  Research suggests that there is a direct correlation between diets high in trans fats and diseases like high cholesterol and heart disease.

  Imagine for a minute pouring lard down your kitchen sink. Maybe the first couple of times that you do this, your sink appears to be fine. However, repeat this process day after day, 3 to 4 times a day and you'll eventually clog your sink. Trans fats have a similar affect on the body. The arteries that feed your brain and your heart will slowly and systematically clog. As the blood circulation diminishes, disease excels.

  How do we spot trans fats in our food?

  • List of ingredients: Read the ingredients on the products you purchase. You may not see the word 'trans fat' but if you see 'hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated canola, soybean or cottonseed oil' you'll know that the product contains trans fat.

    The order in which the trans fat appears in the ingredient listing is also important. According to the FDA, ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance according to weight. This means that the ingredients that weigh the most in the particular product are listed first and those that weigh the least are listed last.

    If trans fat is listed within the first 3 or 4 ingredients, you know that the product contains a higher amount of trans fat than if it were listed last.

  • Nutritional Fact Label: Effective 1/1/06 FDA requires product manufactures to include the amount of trans fat present on the Nutritional Fact label. Now consumers will be aware of just how much trans fats are in the products they are buying.

  Tips on how to reduce/avoid trans fats:

  • Be Aware: Know the foods that usually contain trans fats. Some are doughnuts, cupcakes, crackers, cookies, icing, microwave popcorn, pop tarts, muffin and fried foods

  • Fast foods and restaurants: Be forewarned that when they say 'cooked in vegetable oil' they're not telling you whether it is partially hydrogenated or not. Ask.

  • Eat Natural Foods: Whole foods and natural foods do not contain trans fats. Eat more fish, lean meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

  • Perimeter Shop: When grocery shopping, stay around the perimeter of the store. Processed foods are generally found in the middle isles of the store.

  • Go through your cupboard: Elicit the help of your children. Look at the products with trans fat and try to come up with healthier alternatives

  • Nutritional labels: The lower the combined saturated and trans fat gram number the better. Additionally, the lower the cholesterol percentage, the better. Compare two or more brands of a particular product before buying.

  • Plan ahead: In order to reduce trans fats from you diet, it will take planning. Rushing home from work, tired and frazzled from a hard day increases the
    The Classic Symptoms of Diabetes
    Diabetes is the name for a number of diseases that involve the function of insulin which is a hormone our body produces to control the level of sugar in our blood. There are several different types of diabetes. They are put into 2 categories depending on what the actual problem is with insulin.Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin dependant diabetes is when the body does not produce insulin at all, the cells in the pancreas responsible for the production have been damaged or Type 2 diabetes is when the pancreas can produce insulin, but not enough or the body is unable to recognize the insulin to use it.The symptoms for both forms can be the same as they both lead to
    ans fat appears in the ingredient listing is also important. According to the FDA, ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance according to weight. This means that the ingredients that weigh the most in the particular product are listed first and those that weigh the least are listed last.

    If trans fat is listed within the first 3 or 4 ingredients, you know that the product contains a higher amount of trans fat than if it were listed last.

  • Nutritional Fact Label: Effective 1/1/06 FDA requires product manufactures to include the amount of trans fat present on the Nutritional Fact label. Now consumers will be aware of just how much trans fats are in the products they are buying.

  Tips on how to reduce/avoid trans fats:

  • Be Aware: Know the foods that usually contain trans fats. Some are doughnuts, cupcakes, crackers, cookies, icing, microwave popcorn, pop tarts, muffin and fried foods

  • Fast foods and restaurants: Be forewarned that when they say 'cooked in vegetable oil' they're not telling you whether it is partially hydrogenated or not. Ask.

  • Eat Natural Foods: Whole foods and natural foods do not contain trans fats. Eat more fish, lean meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

  • Perimeter Shop: When grocery shopping, stay around the perimeter of the store. Processed foods are generally found in the middle isles of the store.

  • Go through your cupboard: Elicit the help of your children. Look at the products with trans fat and try to come up with healthier alternatives

  • Nutritional labels: The lower the combined saturated and trans fat gram number the better. Additionally, the lower the cholesterol percentage, the better. Compare two or more brands of a particular product before buying.

  • Plan ahead: In order to reduce trans fats from you diet, it will take planning. Rushing home from work, tired and frazzled from a hard day increases the
    Subprime Mortgage Loans-Why Choose Them When You Don't Have To?
    In today's market, subprime mortgage loans - high-risk mortgages that charge a higher interest rate in order to compensate for a borrower's blemished credit record - often seem to be the only choice for someone with a low credit score or late payments who is looking for mortgage solutions. The truth is that there are programs in place that are offered by certain lenders that give this type of borrower another option. One such option, an Alt-A loan program, gives borrowers with less-than-perfect credit scores a chance to take advantage of many of the benefits that are offered to those who do qualify for the standard "prime" loan.What are Subprime Mortgage Loans?Subp
    e forewarned that when they say 'cooked in vegetable oil' they're not telling you whether it is partially hydrogenated or not. Ask.

  • Eat Natural Foods: Whole foods and natural foods do not contain trans fats. Eat more fish, lean meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

  • Perimeter Shop: When grocery shopping, stay around the perimeter of the store. Processed foods are generally found in the middle isles of the store.

  • Go through your cupboard: Elicit the help of your children. Look at the products with trans fat and try to come up with healthier alternatives

  • Nutritional labels: The lower the combined saturated and trans fat gram number the better. Additionally, the lower the cholesterol percentage, the better. Compare two or more brands of a particular product before buying.

  • Plan ahead: In order to reduce trans fats from you diet, it will take planning. Rushing home from work, tired and frazzled from a hard day increases the likelihood of tossing pre-packaged processed food in the microwave to serve for dinner. Planning ahead (like preparing and freezing an extra meal over the weekend) will help reduce the dependency on fast foods.

  • Moderation: Trans fat is no doubt bad for you, but if you try to stop eating trans fats all in one day, you'll fail miserably. Take it a day at a time. Try to make healthier choices one meal at a time.