Why Trans Fat Free Labels Are Misleading

Why Trans Fat Free Labels Are Misleading Dr. Travis Stork: And Prevention magazine’s editor-in-chief Liz Vaccariello is here to tell us how to determine if what we are eating is healthy and today’s Health Hearsay question is “Are foods labeled trans fat-free healthy”? Is it okay? Liz Vaccariello: Not necessarily but that’s what the packagers of the food want you to believe. They can put zero trans fat or trans fat free on the front cover but by law, they’re still allowed to have up to .5 grams of trans fat in the package. Dr. Travis Stork: So, if it had 0.49 grams of trans fat, it will say no trans fats. Liz Vaccariello: It can say no trans fat Dr. Travis Stork: And why is that a problem? Liz Vaccariello: And we called the American Heart Association and they said the upper limit for trans fat is two grams a day but the ideal limit is zero. Trans fats are terrible. They raise your bad cholesterol. They lower your good cholesterol. It causes all sorts of problems. Dr. Travis Stork: It’s like pouring goop in your arteries, essentially. Liz Vaccariello: It’s one of the worst things you can eat, the trans fat. Dr. Travis Stork: It is and it’s primarily manmade. So, manmade foods, we have some examples where you might find them. Liz Vaccariello: Yup; chips, cookies, stick margarine but some of these foods now, the manufacturer have gotten on to the idea. They do want to be healthier, so they’ve created versions that are trans fat free but there’s only one way to know and that is not when you’re looking at a food package. Don’t look at the front cover, look at the back. Dr. Travis Stork: Okay, what should I avoid? Liz Vaccariello: Look at the label. Don’t look at trans fat, it says zero but look at the ingredients list. If it says “partially hydrogenated oils or hydrogenated oils” that is a sign that there are trans fats in the package and avoid it. Dr. Travis Stork: And I’m here to tell people, trans fat are not good. They’re so bad and I stay away from it at all cost but if I eat five small meals a day, I can technically eat over the recommend daily amount. Liz Vaccariello: Right. Dr. Travis Stork: Despite all the package saying that I’m eating zero trans fat. Liz Vaccariello: That’s right. I mean it can have up to 0.5 grams per serving. So, if you’re having a couple chips here and a couple cookies there and some butter on the toast, you’re giving your heart some damage. Dr. Travis Stork: But a natural diet for the most part, you don’t have to worry too much about trans fat. Liz Vaccariello: Yeah, avoid stuff and boxes. Dr. Travis Stork: Well, thank you for that Health Hearsay answer. We appreciate it. For more information, visit thedoctorstv.com or pick up a copy of Prevention magazine.