![]() |
![]() |
Nutrition Information |
|
||
![]() |
![]() |
Focus on Trans Fat
There's no doubt--carbohydrates have taken center stage in public discourse about dietary practices. You can't turn on the TV, open a newspaper or walk past the office water cooler these days without hearing a debate about this nutrient du jour. Recently, however, increasing attention is being given to an all but forgotten part of our diet. Move over, carbohydrates: fat is making a comeback in the headlines. More specifically, trans fat. Of the four types of dietary fat (monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, saturated and trans), the focus recently has been on trans fat. Abundant in margarine, shortening, packaged baked goods and French fries to name a few, trans fat is a widely used ingredient for food manufacturers because it is cheap and contributes to increased shelf life. It is listed as "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil" and "vegetable shortening" on product ingredient lists. Hydrogenation is the process of heating an oil and passing hydrogen bubbles through it. The fat's density is increased, and food manufacturers use it frequently because it gives products a richer butter flavor. Saturated butter is much more expensive to use, so manufacturers reduce costs by using partially hydrogenated oils. Partially hydrogenated oils, however, have a much different effect on the body than even the demonized saturated fats. We all know that we need to limit saturated fat in our diets, but specific amounts, although small, have been deemed acceptable, and even help to facilitate a variety of processes for the body. Trans fat, however, provides no positive effects whatsoever. Studies have consistently shown that trans fat raises LDL (bad) cholesterol and lowers HDL (good) cholesterol. It contributes to clogging of the arteries and type 2 diabetes. Trans fat has also been linked to an estimated 30,000 or more premature heart disease deaths each year. In March 2004, the Food and Drug Administration updated their website pages concerning trans fat and regulations concerning labeling laws. Although the FDA first proposed trans fat labeling in 1999, it wasn't until July 2003 that Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson announced the new trans fat ruling. Even then, the guidelines proved to be less than acceptable to health experts who were pushing for immediate regulations: the ruling gave manufacturers until January 1, 2006 to comply. Some food manufacturers, however, have already started listing the ingredient on their nutritional labels, and the FDA has responded to these changes for consumers with trans fat info and guidance to understanding the new labels. See the FDA website at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/transfat.html#unhide). Issues of further contention exist, most notably because the FDA is choosing not to list a % Daily Value (%DV) for trans fat. Although it admits that scientific reports show a link between trans fat and coronary heart disease, the FDA states that none of these studies have provided a specific reference value. This has enraged anti-trans fat advocates, who consider the decision not to list daily values a cop-out due to pressure from the food industry, not to insufficient evidence of harm (check out http://bantransfats.com/ for a comprehensive and excellent review of the latest trans fat advocacy issues). Unlike the FDA's specific daily requirements for both saturated fat and cholesterol already in place, some experts feel this lack of specificity for trans fat allotment in our diet is akin to allowing the consumer to believe that any amount is acceptable. Thus, the possibility of a veritable free-for-all on trans fat consumption is feared. The race is now on for food manufacturers to produce foods free of trans fat In April 2004, Kraft Foods announced the introduction of three new brands of the popular Oreo cookie containing zero grams of trans fat. Other manufactures will surely follow suit and it is likely that we will be seeing an explosion of trans fat-free (although not necessarily nutritious) products, particularly snack foods. Since we have a while to wait until all manufacturers are required to change their product labels, consumers need to know how to recognize trans fat in products to reduce intake. Read every ingredient label before a product is purchased. If the list contains the words "partially hydrogenated," you know it contains trans fat. Shortening and margarine almost always contain trans fat. This knowledge is particularly important with regard to processed foods, since they usually contain a large amount of ingredients, most with long, odd looking and hard to pronounce names. For further guidance on how to avoid trans fat in products, check out Dr. Gabe Mirkin's website (http://www.drmirkin.com/nutrition/N185.html), an excellent resource on nutrition and trans fat info. Conflicting as it may be, we'll always be inundated with media attention on the latest focus on nutrition. But we still need to be aware of the facts concerning our health. Coverage on fats was all the rage in the 80's, for the last decade all we've heard about is carbs. What's next? Well, there's always protein. About The Author Jon Gestl, CSCS, is a Chicago personal trainer and fitness instructor who specializes in helping people get in shape in the privacy and convenience of their home or office. He is a United States National Aerobic Champion silver and bronze medalist and world-ranked sportaerobic competitor. He can be contacted through his website at http://www.jongestl.com.
Look For
MORE RESOURCES: Montana Supreme Court rules restrictions of vacation rentals allowed under subdivision covenants Daily Inter Lake Vacation Rental Compliance City of Sarasota (.gov) TIME’S UP FOR TRANSIENT RENTALS IN TRUMAN ANNEX; 20-YEAR AGREEMENT ENDS DEC. 22 Keys Weekly Newspapers Maui Condo Market Collapse: What It Means For Travelers Beat of Hawaii Santa Cruz County supervisors advance new limits on vacation rentals Santa Cruz Local Vacation Rentals: At Your Own Risk Scripps News City of Santa Barbara Chips Away at Illegal Short-Term Vacation Rentals The Santa Barbara Independent Inside The ‘Out-Of-Control’ Debate Over Axing Maui Vacation Rentals Honolulu Civil Beat Vacation rentals could be banned in one of California’s top coastal destinations San Francisco Chronicle Commission takes initial step to tap brakes on vacation rentals along Monterey coast Local News Matters Maui condo prices plummet as short-term rental uncertainty looms The Business Journals The Coastal Commission approves Monterey County’s vacation rental ordinance in a major win. Monterey County Weekly Maui condo prices fall sharply in August while single-family homes hold steady, report says Maui Now Largest Hawaii Vacation Rental Company Faces Major Shake Up Beat of Hawaii Two Oregon Towns Named Among America’s Best Fall Getaways thatoregonlife.com Plan To Convert Maui Vacation Rentals To Long-Term Housing Delayed Honolulu Civil Beat Study: Maui Should Phase Out Vacation Rentals With Caution Honolulu Civil Beat Honolulu Sees Doubling Of Vacation Rental Registrations Under New Rules Honolulu Civil Beat Vacation Rental Study in Goleta Tells More About the Neighbors The Santa Barbara Independent Maui measure to phase out half of the island's vacation rentals moves forward Hawaii Public Radio Maui panel passes bill curbing vacation rentals to boost housing supply after Lahaina wildfire CBS News Main St. request on hold, but ‘Kitschy 2 BR House’ gets vacation rental OK Evanston RoundTable How Short-Term Vacation Rentals Impact the Tourism Economy in Greater Palm Springs Palm Springs Life Sanctuary Vacation Rentals seemonterey.com Honolulu Hasn't Fined Airbnb, Vrbo for Illegal Short-Term Rentals Honolulu Civil Beat Florida vacation rental company files for bankruptcy Gulf Coast News and Weather - Southwest Florida News Maui County Council committee approves bill to phase out thousands of vacation rentals Hawaii News Now You Can Stay in n Romantic Castle Airbnb in South Dakota Only In Your State A novel idea for Maui’s housing crisis: Using vacation rental profits for residents’ down payments Maui Now Changes coming to Sarasota's vacation rental ordinance Your Observer Vacation Rentals of the Desert Accused of Owing Millions; Riverside DA Launches Investigation After Public Outcry NBC Palm Springs Vacation Rentals of the Desert Accused of Owing Property Owners, Renters Over $1 Million NBC Palm Springs Committee seeks to halt vacation rental requests Evanston RoundTable Uncertain Economy Contributes to Slow Summer Rental Bookings The Vineyard Gazette Couple who owns Manasota Key vacation rentals welcomes first renters since Hurricanes Helene, Milton FOX 13 Tampa Bay Maui Council To Take Up Bill Phasing Out Vacation Rentals This Summer Honolulu Civil Beat No More Vacation Rentals In Maui. Here's How The Mayor's Plan To Strip The Island of Short-Term Rental Will Affect The Economy Yahoo Finance Supreme Court: cities cannot limit vacation rentals based on owner occupancy Idaho Public Television You Can Stay in an Enchanting Castle Airbnb in Utah Only In Your State Maui vacation rental bill continues to draw passionate testimony from both sides Hawaii Public Radio Alders flip on vacation rentals Evanston Now Maui County Council debates future of vacation rentals Hawaii News Now City has no mercy for illegal vacation rental operators Hawaii News Now Key West Vacation Rental Platform Targets Off-Season Visitors Travel Agent Central Top 5 most-read stories last week: Vacation rentals, workforce housing and housing inventory SummitDaily.com Santa Cruz County moves to rein in vacation rentals Lookout Santa Cruz Hawaiʻi County Council seeks more oversight with passage of vacation rental bill Hawaii Public Radio The county’s vacation rental ordinance faces one more hurdle for approval. Monterey County Weekly Combatting human trafficking: New training, reporting requirements for hotels, vacation rentals WRAL.com Capital One Travel Adds Vacation Rentals — And You Can Earn 5x Miles on Venture Cards Upgraded Points Board recommends new education programs, property management rules for vacation rentals The Palm Springs Post Capital One Cards Now Earn Bonus Miles on Vacation Rentals Upgraded Points Vrbo offers last minute deals on vacation rentals Short Term Rentals - News Committee votes 5-0 against couple’s vacation rental request advancing Evanston RoundTable Maui transient vacation rental phaseout—more housing, fewer jobs University of Hawaii System Maui mayor's plan to phase out vacation rentals would increase housing but shrink the economy AP News Maui Gets $1.6B—Can Vacation Rentals Survive What’s Coming? Beat of Hawaii Vacation rentals may face new taxes as WA lawmakers eye housing fix The Center Square The Best Vacation Rental Travel Insurance for 2025 U.S. News & World Report 15 Best Catskills Airbnbs for Every Season Condé Nast Traveler Maui Vacation Rental Ban Moves Forward Amid Growing Outrage Beat of Hawaii |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
3 Important Differences Between White Bread and Whole Wheat For any kid who grew up eating doughy, thick Wonder Bread for lunch, the encouragement by dietitians and nutritionists to switch to whole wheat bread can be a tough transition.Bread, like any other part of our diet, is an acquired taste. Time Line of the Development of GlycoBiology and GlycoNutritionals 1880s - Characterization of monosaccharides by Emil Fischer.1952 - Fresh, not aged, Aloe gel heals radiation burns on rabbits (Clarence C. Antioxidants and Your Health Get back to the basics - eat fresh at home and neutralize free radical oxidation, which is rusting away your body, by eating a variety of foods high in antioxidants every day.Why? Antioxidants, as the name implies, help prevent oxidation, may help increase immune function and possibly decrease risk of infection and cancer. Trade In Your Diet For A Lifestyle! Dieting is a pain. I think basically everyone would agree that having to adhere to a rigid restriction of your free-flow eating preferences puts a bit of a damper on the whole food experience. From Cell to Super Cell - with Glutathione Imagine you're a cell.Inside your body runs the machinery that creates life itself. You Are What You Eat You've no doubt heard the saying, "You are what you eat", as it typically pertains to encouraging people to be more health conscious- and really consider each food before it enters the mouth! In America in fact, a commercial for a popular brand of cereal bars actually depicted people walking out of donut shops and bakeries in costumes of the food that they ordered for breakfast, and of course, everyone stared at the donut shaped person walking into the office. The idea behind the phrase, "you are what you eat", is if you don't want to look like you eat donuts every morning for breakfast and fast food every night for dinner, you need to eat healthier. Natural Foods Defined With so many people concerned about natural and organic foods these days, it's useful to stop and really take a look at what "natural" and "organic" foods really are. We all know that natural and organic foods are better for us than highly processed or artificial foods, but do we really know which foods are natural and organic? When you buy food that is labeled "natural," what does that really mean? What about "organic"?It turns out that the term "natural" doesn't mean all that much. Cherries - The Next Wonder Fruit Cherries?A Supercharged FruitThe little red fruit that has been enjoyed by countless millions offer more than great taste. Are cherries truly fruit for a healthy you? Recent studies have revealed that cherries offer an assortment of health benefits including the natural ability to offer relief from joint inflammation. The Sneak Attack of Trans- Fats If you are like most people, you are probably confused about trans fats. What are they? Which foods have them? What is the health risk?The truth is, trans fats are everywhere. The Skinny on Salt Salt was used long before recorded history began. One of the earliest known writings, the Chinese Png-tzao-kan-mu, mentioned more than 40 types of salt. Correct Your Acid / Akaline Balance by the Water You Drink: What the Experts Say In health circles there has been much recent talk about acid / alkaline imbalance. Let's see if we can clarify how experts recommend we correct this imbalance. Alkalize Your Way to Better Health Today we're shifting our focus from wealth to health. First of all, I am not an expert. Face Check Up Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the healthiest of them all? Here is your handy-dandy checklist for a healthy you. Discover how your face reveals your health. Your Target of Health is Easy Many of us, probably even you, want this thing called health, yet have no idea what it would look like if we had it. We are going after this elusive thing, but we really have never stopped to think about what it was. Fluoride in Drinking Water Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water that has Fluoride added? Well, the jury seems to be out, and they have been out for a very long time, without producing a satisfactory answer as to whether it is beneficial or harmful.Scientists have discovered that there is a Toxic interaction between Fluoride and Aluminium, which can lead to Alzheimer's Disease. The History of Ambrotose� Complex Ambrotose� - the Nutritional Alphabet of the "Sweet Language of Life"The story begins with Aloe Vera. The discovery of Ambrotose� really dates back to the 1980's. Green Tea and Your Health Green tea has been used as for medical remedies in China since ancient times. It was said to have many health benefits and be a remedy for many ailments. Explanation of Ambrotose There are basically four major components, or essential molecular components that the body requires for what we call good health.We know about amino acids and proteins, that's category one. Finding the Elusive Complete-Protein Source Images of "protein powder" containers with accomplished bodybuilders on their labels help inform consumers that protein is a critical macronutrient in strength training success. Yet what is sometimes lost in this protein-bodybuilding link is that protein is an essential component for everyone, regardless of physical activity. What Everybody Ought to Know About Food Additives Every day we are bombarded with information about food products that are healthy, all natural, have no artificial ingredients, no preservatives, low fat, no fat, no cholesterol, sugar free, vitamin fortified and provide 100% of your daily vitamin requirements. Are these foods as healthy as the advertising tries to make us believe they are?Let's look at the facts. ![]() |
home | site map |
© 2005 |