Zero Grams Trans Fat

There are several loopholes in the law regarding trans fats. My favorite is the "what's" considered trans fat. Companies are now trying to disguise the trans fat as best as they can. They know many people are clueing in to reading labels and will be on the lookout for hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Just remember that BOTH are artificial and BOTH harden arteries. Hydrogenated OR Partially Hydrogenated. Saturated fat is NATURAL. Hydrogenated fat is UNNATURAL. Shortening is another word for trans fats, even if it says vegetable shortening. *wink*

Now, Todd's favorite argument is the latest loophole in the law regarding the AMOUNT of trans fats in the food. A large number of companies were able to get legislation passed saying that if a SERVING has less than 0.5 grams of trans fats, the WHOLE PRODUCT can be labeled zero trans fats. Sadly, most people read the Nutritional Label rather than the Ingredients list and on the Nutritional Label, it says 0g trans fats. So of course, the companies lower the serving size to meet this requirement. Think about it. If you eat several servings of a few products that say they have zero grams of trans fats, what does that add up to? In a day? In a week? In a month? Here's a perfect example of how trans fats can sneak into your diet every day...

You wake up in the morning to a cup of coffee with a tablespoon or two of that flavored non-dairy creamer stuff (*cough* *cough* POISION). Maybe you drink two cups every morning?

A cup of instant, powdered hot chocolate (in a big mug, so maybe 3 HEAPING tablespoons of powder) with a scoop or two of fat-free cool whip (and of course, you scoop and eat a spoonful before closing the lid). If not hot chocolate, any powdered cocoa or powdered coffee drink mix.

Then maybe later that day you have a bag of 94% fat-free microwave popcorn (the typical, most popular non-organic brands). And of course YOU eat a whole bag yourself, which is about 3 servings. Who doesn't? Get your own bag! LOL

Or maybe you also make some fat-free, sugar-free instant pudding. Those trans fats add up! Especially when you eat foods like this every day. This is just snack food and doesn't take into account the trans fats in everyday MEALS. Just think... Add on top of the snacks listed above maybe... a frozen, non-organic, microwavable dinner or lunch? EEEK! Those things always have trans fats!

It all adds up...

Here is a great video that talks about just that...