Bad Fats

Saturated fats can raise the level of cholesterol in your blood which increases your risk for heart disease and stroke.  The American Heart Association recommends no more than 5% to 6% of your total daily calories should come from saturated fat.  In general you should eat everything in moderation because some foods produce saturated fats naturally and they are also the same foods that are healthy for you because they contain Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated fats.

• Animal meats
• Dairy products
• Fats and oils
• Select leaner cuts of meat and trim excess fat where possible.  Remove the skin from chicken to cut down on the fat intake.

**Select low fat version if possible

Trans fat is also known as partially hydrogenated vegetable oil and is formed through an industrial process that adds hydrogen gas to vegetable oil. Many doctors believe this to be the worst of all the fats.  Since Trans fat is less likely to spoil and foods have a much longer shelf life you will find it in many of the following:

• Vegetable Shortening
• Nondairy coffee creamers
• Refrigerator dough such as canned biscuits, cinnamon rolls, pastry dough
• Potato chips, cookies, crackers, pancake mix, ready-made frosting, candy bars

NOTE:  Prior to placing a product in your cart, turn to the nutrition label to see if it contains Trans Fat and then look at the list of ingredients for the term ‘partially hydrogenated vegetable oil’ which means there is less than 0.5 grams per serving so they do not have to list it under fats.  Pretty sneaky!!