Beware of transfat

It will probably come as no surprise to you but...

Trans fat is dangerous

Trans fat can make food taste good, last longer on grocery-store shelves, and more hazardous for your heart.

"Trans fats raise your bad cholesterol just like saturated fats, but they also increase inflammation and lower the good cholesterol that protects us against heart disease," says Andrea Giancoli, RD, MPH, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, in Hermosa Beach, Calif.

The good news? Many food manufacturers and fast-food chains have removed or reduced trans fat. But it still lurks in many foods—here are 23 to watch.

1. potato chips
2. french fries
3. anything battered or fried
4. pie and pie crust
   
5. margarine
6. shortening
7. cake mixes and ready made frosting
8. pancake & waffle mixes
9. fried chicken
10. breakfast sandwiches
11. frozen or creamy beverages
12. beef jerky
13. crackers
14. frozen dinners
15. Asian noodles
16. biscuits & sweet-rolls
    
17. packaged cookies
18. ground beef
19. microwave popcorn
20. ice cream
    
21. canned chili
22. packaged pudding
23. dairy creamers

Good grief! What do we eat now if we remove all these items from our shopping cart (or at least try and reduce the quantity we buy?)
I remember the advice I was given years ago by a Food Science and Nutrition instructor. SHOP AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE STORE. That is where the "real" food is. Real fruits and vegetables, lean meat, dairy products, whole grains, and food items for preparing foods from fresh products or cooking by "scratch" at home. Try and fill your grocery card around the perimeter first and then stroll down the isles and add a few of the items listed above. This will save our hearts, our waistlines, and maybe even our lives! Check the nutrition facts on the labels and see how much trans fat is in each product. Choose "reduced fat" items when possible. I'm going to try a lot harder to do a better job at this.