The American Heart Association Recommends Restricting Trans Fats
Posted Dec 18 2008 8:12pm
Hurrah for the American Heart Association for its new recommendations to limit trans fats to less than 1 percent of total calories. While I'd prefer if they said to just nix the unhealthy fat altogether, this is a major move on the part of a health group.
In case you're confused about the connection between trans fats and sugar, there's a big one. Sure enough, these harmful trans fats are often found in nutrient-deficient, processed baked goods such as crackers, cookies, and baked goods.
FYI, trans fatty acids (shortened to trans fats) are artificially created through a chemical process involving the hydrogenation of oils. This means the oil is solidified, which limits the body's ability to regulate cholesterol. In 2005, the FDA mandated that the amount of trans fats be labeled on food products.
As part of its 2006 Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations, the AHA made a number of other more obvious suggestions, including eating nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits and whole grains; fish at least twice a week; choosing lean meats and poultry without skin; cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars; preparing food with little or no salt (limiting intake to 2,300 milligrams a day); drink alcohol moderately; watching portion sizes.
I'm not as enamored with the AHA's advice to eat fat-free, 1 percent fat and low-fat dairy products. Actually, think it's better not to eat that much dairy or to do so in moderation -- and if you're going to have dairy to opt instead for full-fat goat's milk products.
I was, however, happy to see that the AHA also urges people to do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days -- or preferably all days.
See the full recommendations in the AHA magazine, Circulation.
Hurrah for the American Heart Association for its new recommendations to limit trans fats to less than 1 percent of total calories. While I'd prefer if they said to just nix the unhealthy fat altogether, this is a major move on the part of a health group.
In case you're confused about the connection between trans fats and sugar, there's a big one. Sure enough, these harmful trans fats are often found in nutrient-deficient, processed baked goods such as crackers, cookies, and baked goods.
FYI, trans fatty acids (shortened to trans fats) are artificially created through a chemical process involving the hydrogenation of oils. This means the oil is solidified, which limits the body's ability to regulate cholesterol. In 2005, the FDA mandated that the amount of trans fats be labeled on food products.
As part of its 2006 Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations, the AHA made a number of other more obvious suggestions, including eating nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits and whole grains; fish at least twice a week; choosing lean meats and poultry without skin; cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars; preparing food with little or no salt (limiting intake to 2,300 milligrams a day); drink alcohol moderately; watching portion sizes.
I'm not as enamored with the AHA's advice to eat fat-free, 1 percent fat and low-fat dairy products. Actually, think it's better not to eat that much dairy or to do so in moderation -- and if you're going to have dairy to opt instead for full-fat goat's milk products.
I was, however, happy to see that the AHA also urges people to do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days -- or preferably all days.
See the full recommendations in the AHA magazine, Circulation.
Thanks to the San Francisco Chronicle for its interesting article about this subject.