olive oil bottle (Photo : Reuters)
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given food companies three years to remove the ingredient trans fat oils from all their products, stating that the 2018 ban is due to the fatty acids being proven as unsafe. Although trans fat-making partially hydrogenated vegetable oils are artery-clogging and dangerous to heart heath, their creamy and tasty flavor can be substituted with cooking alternatives.
Animal-based saturated fats are considered to be mostly unhealthy, while plant and seafood-based unsaturated fats are the exact opposite. Trans fat is controversial because it originates from healthy oils, but is then morphed into something else.
It shares several of the characteristics found in saturated fat, although vegetable oils are the base of most trans fat products. The oil is made using an artificial process.
Interestingly, several years ago the medical world claimed that trans fat oils could remove cholesterol levels and natural fats from daily foods, according to Fox Carolina. However, it has changed its tune.
Today, nutritionists recommended healthy options such as oils extracted from corn, soybeans, and olives. They are full of nutrients, and help to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
Other natural oils are also good choices, but are also high in saturated fat. They include cottonseed, coconut, and palm oil.
Some flavorful yet not-so-healthy alternatives to trans fat include butter and lard. However, they should be added to dishes in in small amounts.
Many food manufacturers have already started removing trans fat from the ingredients lists of their products. However, the move has been expensive for some companies.
Another major issue is whether alternatives to trans fat will be able to provide the same flavor and texture to certain everyday foods. They include donuts, cookies, and frozen pizzas.
Health experts advise that people get to the 2018 trans fat ban by reading nutrition labels, according to WMBF News. It is the safest option.
