The Truth About Trans Fat

We all have purchased a food that has claimed or highlighted, that it has zero grams of trans fat per serving. In fact, that zero that is on the label doesn't really mean zero and can sometimes mean almost half as much of fat. What the ordinary person (us as the consumers) don't know is that many companies are taking advantage of the FDA trans fat labeling rules. According to the FDA, products only need to have less than 0.5g of trans fat per serving to claim zero grams of trans fat. The American Heart Association recommends a limit of 2g of trans fat per day based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Just imagine, just one of these so called "zero grams of trans fat" servings each meal could equal more than the recommended daily amount per day just over the course of three basic meals! Look closely at the ingredients that are referred to as partially hydrogenated or shortening and you have found the trans fat! So for us as the ordinary consumer this means that we have to start becoming more aware that labels don't always tell the full story. Search for how much trans fat is in each serving and don't just go by the headline "zero trans fat", anymore. It is nearly impossible to eliminate all trans fat from ones diet, but it is possible to start by reducing consumptions and becoming aware of labels.