Trans Fats and High Fructose Corn Syrup - As bad as they seem!

(Posted by Patrick Sullivan Jr.)

Thanks to a link by RandomJohn, I recently read Are These Foods Really Healthy? in Prevention Magazine. Thankfully, the word continues to spread about the dangers of trans fats (usually "hidden" as hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oil) and high fructose corn syrup.

These two ingredients--trans fats and high fructose corn syrup--are in 40 percent of the foods Americans eat every day. And a growing number of experts believe that both are contributing to the epidemic levels of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in the United States.

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The FDA allows any food with less than half a gram per serving to be called "trans-fat free." Half a gram might seem like nothing, but if it's a product you use a lot of--say, margarine--those half grams can add up quickly.

In a related note, I recently came across the American Dietetic Association's website and this article, Which is Healthier, Butter or Margarine?

From a fat and calorie standpoint, butter and margarine are the same with about 35 calories and four grams of fat per teaspoon. Both are primarily fat; only the source differs. Butter contains more saturated fats than most margarine. Because margarine is made from vegetable oil, it has no cholesterol.

For a spread with less saturated fat and minimal or no trans fat, buy soft tub or liquid margarine, rather than stick. Whipped versions of butter or margarine have less fat per tablespoon, too. Reduced-fat margarine is available, too, but is not suitable for some recipes.

Whether you prefer the taste of butter or margarine, enjoy it in small portions.

That is perhaps one of the least helpful, most politically-correct tidbits I have ever read. But I'm pretty sure that the ADA is recommending that I go out and get tub margarine.

Ok, so let's go see what Country Crock says about their margarine.

Are trans fats unsafe?

There is no evidence that products containing small amounts of trans fat are harmful to health [ed. note: That sounds eerily familiar...] when they are used sensibly within a balanced and varied diet.

Elevated cholesterol levels are a known risk factor for heart disease. [ed. note: The theory of cholesterol being the cause of heart disease has been vigorously debated.] Both trans fats and saturated fats are considered cholesterol raising and should not be consumed in large quantities.Health professionals and FDA recommend minimizing the amount of trans fats in the diet while maintaining a nutritionally sensible diet.

Does Shedd's Spread Country Crock contain trans fats?

Over the last several years, Unilever Bestfoods NA, the manufacturer of Shedd's Spread Country Crock has introduced several products which contain 0g trans fat per serving including Yogurt, Calcium, and Light.

Nice dodge! But seriously, does it contain trans fats? The question remains dubiously unanswered on Country Crock's website.

At JigsawHealth.com, there is an article called The Truth About Fat. I highly recommend you to read it if you currently think butter is bad and margarine is good.

RELATED POST: It's not the Fat that is making you Fat!

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