Tricks for Lower Trans Fat
By Randi Morse
If you're looking to decrease your risk of heart disease, look no further than trans fat. Most doctors considered trans fat to be the worst type of fat you can put in your body. The body needs fats. It uses fats as fuel. But trans fat raises your LDL, which is usually considered your bad cholesterol, and lowers your HDL, the good cholesterol. Trans fat is usually created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil. This mixture causes the vegetable oil to solidify when it's room temperature. Food manufacturers generally use it to help ensure that their products have as long a shelf life as possible.
Getting Rid of Trans Fat
Now that we know what trans fat is and why it is used, how do we get it out of our food? It would be ideal if we were able to go back in time and eat as our ancestors did, using only products that we created or grew; however, not only do most of us not have time for that, we also don't have room for it. So that means we're going to have to rely on the food industry to provide our nourishment. The good news is that it's completely possible to lower the amount of trans fat you eat without changing your diet too drastically.
Snacks
Let's talk about snacks. You may think that popcorn is an amazingly healthy snack, and in some instances you're right. Unfortunately, most of the microwave popcorn you find on the store shelves is loaded with trans fat. Instead of purchasing microwavable popcorn, try getting an air popper. These allow you to pop your popcorn free of any trans fats. Potato chips are another delicious packaged snack that is often high in trans fat. If you take the time to check labels you'll find that there are some potato chips, or tortilla chips, that are much lower in cholesterol and trans fat than others.
Baked Goods
There's nothing wrong with having a little sweet treat now and again, but if you purchased your treat from a store bakery, or it comes out of a box, it's likely that it has trans fat in it. Instead, make some time during a weekend to go on a baking binge. This way you can bake sweet treats that have only the ingredients you want in them. The good news is that most baked goods freeze really well.
I know it can be difficult to change your diet, but I also know how important it is to lower as much trans fat as you can. Making little changes here and there can make a big difference.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Walnut Creek, Calif.