Hydrogenated Fat; Trans Fat; Trans Fatty Acid;
Three names… all describe the same fat.
A Saturated Fat (primarily from animal products) is considered ‘saturated’ due to the number of hydrogen bonds in the oil. The idea of ‘Hydrogenation’ adds Hydrogen to Un-Saturated Fats (Poly-Unsaturated) and it causes them to become more like beef lard!
Find out what's happening in South Windsorfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
There are two reasons why food manufacturers use this process:
1. It maintains certain flavors in the food
Find out what's happening in South Windsorfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. It slows down food spoiling and, therefore, extends shelf life
For food manufacturers that is the name of the game. The longer they can keep food on the shelf without spoiling, the better the chances of you stopping in to buy that item. Author Michael Pollan calls these extended life foods: ‘Fake Food’.
The problem? This is a manufactured fat… and your body (liver) sees it, tries to process it, then produces cholesterol using it, and sends it out to the bloodstream. This results in your levels of HDL (good cholesterol) being reduced, and your levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) being increased. Trans Fats will also increase your Triglyceride levels and produce inflammation in your blood vessels.
According to Dr. Andrew Weil, a leading expert on food and nutrition, he recommends the first step in developing a healthy lifestyle is to eliminate ALL Hydrogenated Fats and Trans Fats from your diet. This means, of course, taking a close look at all the processed foods you buy at the supermarket and checking the food labels.
Your Shopping time might increase, but you will be much healthier as a result.
Eat Well…Shop Wisely....Stay Healthy!
Shop at the South Windsor Farmers Market -- Winter Season
10am to 1pm, AT: St. Margaret Mary Church Hall
Find us on Facebook: South Windsor Farmers Market
Webpage: swfood.org
* The South Windsor FOOD Alliance: Sub-Committee of the SW Park & Recreation Commission
