NationStates Jolt Archive

It's in freaking BUTTER! Then again, at least those trans fats are naturally occurring.

So, do you make an effort to avoid trans fat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans_fat)? How successful are you at it? I find them in bloody EVERYTHING. There is only one type of margarine I can find that is trans fat free, and pretty much anything in a box, can or bag is loaded with them. Bleh.

I hardly ever eat anything in a box, can, or bag.....well, in bags, my beans come in bags.....and my produce.......my meat comes in paper.......

nevermind.

I only eat processed foods like once a month.....

it's got little to do with trans fats though.

It's in freaking BUTTER! Then again, at least those trans fats are naturally occurring.

So, do you make an effort to avoid trans fat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans_fat)?

Not really. I figure since wild sex and good drugs are beyond my realm of possibility, I may as well have gluttonous apathy as my remaining vice. That and smoking.

eat organic?

go vegan?

Not really. I figure since wild sex and good drugs are beyond my realm of possibility, I may as well have gluttonous apathy as my remaining vice. That and smoking.

Ditto, except for smoking.

Ditto, except for smoking.

And alcohol. And internetaddiction. Forgot those ones too.

And TV, sometimes, but never "TV" more like, DVD's.

i don't really pay attention to what i eat beyond trying to have a balanced meal with at least 3 veg portions and some meat at least once a day. i usually lose the will to care after a few days of paying attention and just eat whatever's quickest or easiest to make though. usually some variation of tomatoes, mushrooms and pasta and grated cheese. sometimes with bacon if i have it or chicken if i've remembered to defrost any. i find buying food is complicated enough without having to worry about science. i do tend to leave my brain behind when i go shopping though.

I have the same problem. I found a butter, a spread, whatever you call it.
Olivio. It is not bad. And as far as the trans-fat thing goes.

The FDA says:
Foods that contain less than ½ (0.5g) trans fat per serving can claim to have “Zero trans fat” or “No Trans Fat”. For an oil to remain solid at room temperature it must either contain either enough hard (saturated fat) to maintain stability or a minimal amount of hydrogenation or some partial hydrogenation.

I eat so damn healthy my friends get freaked out when they peek into my pantry (that sounded dirty). Perhaps that's why I get so pissed off when I find something I've been more lenient on, with trans fats hiding in it. Like ice-cream. Or the odd canned soup.

Seriously, unless you're buying fresh produce/meat/legumes etc...pretty much ANYTHING else in a package has trans fats in it. WTF? I'm a little suprised actually...they've been teh debil for a few years now, and you'd think more companies would want to push a 'trans fat free' product.

The FDA says:
Foods that contain less than ½ (0.5g) trans fat per serving can claim to have “Zero trans fat” or “No Trans Fat”. For an oil to remain solid at room temperature it must either contain either enough hard (saturated fat) to maintain stability or a minimal amount of hydrogenation or some partial hydrogenation.

Yup...we've pretty much stopped buying margarine and gone back to butter (which used to be considered so horrible, but at least it's natural). But it does piss me off that some products can claim to be trans fat free without actually being so.

What was the other product that outraged me...ah, chocolate. It was chock full of trans fat.

Seriously, unless you're buying fresh produce/meat/legumes etc...pretty much ANYTHING else in a package has trans fats in it. WTF? I'm a little suprised actually...they've been teh debil for a few years now, and you'd think more companies would want to push a 'trans fat free' product.

I am still trying to get companies to be honest about what ingredients are in their food......I don't really care much about trans fats. We eat almost everything from scratch now because I can't trust companies to be honest.

btw......do you know how to make corn tortillas? (don't know why I assume you do....but do you?)

I am still trying to get companies to be honest about what ingredients are in their food......I don't really care much about trans fats. We eat almost everything from scratch now because I can't trust companies to be honest.

btw......do you know how to make corn tortillas? (don't know why I assume you do....but do you?)

I make them like this:

Yellow corn meal. Squeeze in some lime juice, pinch of salt. Add water and stir until it's pretty watery. You pour it into a hot pan like a crepe...you can smooth it thinner with a spoon if necessary. Wait until it bubbles on the top and then flip it over.

Easy peasy. It's grainier than using corn flour, but I like these a lot better.

I've actually started calling those 1-800 numbers on packages to complain. You know...when I'm bored :D

It's in freaking BUTTER! Then again, at least those trans fats are naturally occurring.

So, do you make an effort to avoid trans fat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans_fat)? How successful are you at it? I find them in bloody EVERYTHING. There is only one type of margarine I can find that is trans fat free, and pretty much anything in a box, can or bag is loaded with them. Bleh.

Most food products that you buy in the States no longer have trans fats in them (unless they're naturally occurring, in things like butter), and most restaurant chains have pretty much eliminated trans fats from their menu items.

Lay's potato chips are now made with sunflower oil, which unlike the oil blend they used to make them with, has no trans fats. Same taste, but you don't feel like you have lead in your stomach after eating a few handfuls.

I make them like this:

Yellow corn meal. Squeeze in some lime juice, pinch of salt. Add water and stir until it's pretty watery. You pour it into a hot pan like a crepe...you can smooth it thinner with a spoon if necessary. Wait until it bubbles on the top and then flip it over.

Easy peasy. It's grainier than using corn flour, but I like these a lot better.

awesome! it's like making pancakes then? cool *tries it*

I've actually started calling those 1-800 numbers on packages to complain. You know...when I'm bored :D
start asking them if they have a gluten free list........not that you need one, but the more people that ask the more companies will start to make them.

Kraft is my hero, they email me a big huge gluten free list every month.

Lay's potato chips are now made with sunflower oil, which unlike the oil blend they used to make them with, has no trans fats. Same taste, but you don't feel like you have lead in your stomach after eating a few handfuls.

Yes, I'm loyal to Old Dutch because they've always done it the simple way. There are three ingredients. Potatos, oil, salt. No trans fats.

Then again...I made a foolish promise that I'd stop eating chips if my hubby stopped smoking.

The bastard stopped smoking.

start asking them if they have a gluten free list........not that you need one, but the more people that ask the more companies will start to make them.

Kraft is my hero, they email me a big huge gluten free list every month.

Will do..I figure hardly anyone bothers to take them to task, so even a few complaints would work fine.

It is possible to avoid. Denmark outlawed (http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=2577131) food with more then 2% trans fat and now have 28 times (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans_fat#Presence_in_food) less trans fat in the french fries then New York.

I'd perfer better ingredients lists over an outright ban. Give consumers all the gruesome details and leave the choice up to them, but maybe thats not practical. When a representative from Coca Cola was asked in Swedish news if they are honest about what they put into Fanta he said it would require a full A4 page to list everything they put in the drink.

I'd prefer an all out ban, frankly. I don't see the merit in 'being able to choose' a substance that is incredibly deleterious to one's health...not when that substance is linked to such serious increases in health, which in turn mean taxpayers are the ones bearing the brunt of these additives.

They can get the trans fats out, it's not impossible. There are a number of countries that have imposed very tight restrictions, and it's not as though people there stopped buying packaged foods.

So, do you make an effort to avoid trans fat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans_fat)?

Nope, none whatsoever.
I just looked at your link, and apparently it increases the risk of coronary heart disease which is 1) probably going to kill me regardless of what I eat, and 2) better than cancer, the second alternative.
I do tend to usually eat a vegetarian diet, often quite low in processed foods, but that's cos I'm a miser. Nothing to do with health.

The whole "natural" thing does get to me a bit... Arsenic's natural. That doesn't make it the optimal green dye for your mint humbugs.

It is possible to avoid. Denmark outlawed (http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=2577131) food with more then 2% trans fat and now have 28 times (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans_fat#Presence_in_food) less trans fat in the french fries then New York.

I'd perfer better ingredients lists over an outright ban. Give consumers all the gruesome details and leave the choice up to them, but maybe thats not practical. When a representative from Coca Cola was asked in Swedish news if they are honest about what they put into Fanta he said it would require a full A4 page to list everything they put in the drink.

Even so, I still Want A Fanta.

It's in freaking BUTTER! Then again, at least those trans fats are naturally occurring.

So, do you make an effort to avoid trans fat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans_fat)? How successful are you at it? I find them in bloody EVERYTHING. There is only one type of margarine I can find that is trans fat free, and pretty much anything in a box, can or bag is loaded with them. Bleh.

I am holding my box of real butter...and it reads clearly 0 trans fat.
I have no idea what you are eating that is calling itself butter...but it isnt just butter.
Checking the empty box oc butter I just had disposed of it also reads 0 trans fat.

So prarie farms and Spartan brand butters both contain 0 trans fat.

As for other things I cant think off hand how I avoid them but I do...usually fairly successfully.

Potato chips if I eat them, I only eat a brand called Better Made, they contain 0 trans fat and are fried in 100% cotton seed oil. They are far less greasy then in any national brand(Lays/Nabisco). They make a great assortment of flavors; http://www.bettermadepotatochips.com/
Most of the growing season they use locally grown potatoes so as to maintain the quality of the chip. I grew up with these chips and put them against any gourmet chip out there.

I eat a lot of raw foods so trans fats arent really an issue for me.

I might as well plug Faygo to, http://www.faygo.com/ .

Yes, I'm loyal to Old Dutch because they've always done it the simple way. There are three ingredients. Potatos, oil, salt. No trans fats.

Then again...I made a foolish promise that I'd stop eating chips if my hubby stopped smoking.

The bastard stopped smoking.

He probably laughs inside every time he thinks about it. :p

I am holding my box of real butter...and it reads clearly 0 trans fat.
I have no idea what you are eating that is calling itself butter...but it isnt just butter.
Checking the empty box oc butter I just had disposed of it also reads 0 trans fat.

So prarie farms and Spartan brand butters both contain 0 trans fat.

As for other things I cant think off hand how I avoid them but I do...usually fairly successfully.

Potato chips if I eat them, I only eat a brand called Better Made, they contain 0 trans fat and are fried in 100% cotton seed oil. They are far less greasy then in any national brand(Lays/Nabisco). They make a great assortment of flavors; http://www.bettermadepotatochips.com/
Most of the growing season they use locally grown potatoes so as to maintain the quality of the chip. I grew up with these chips and put them against any gourmet chip out there.

I eat a lot of raw foods so trans fats arent really an issue for me.

I might as well plug Faygo to, http://www.faygo.com/ .

Judging by the area and exchange codes, Faygo's a Michigan product, no?

Are these trans fats something that should be bothering me, then?

And why would you need to cut them out completely, surely that you can have a certain amount without doing any harm?

I am holding my box of real butter...and it reads clearly 0 trans fat.
I have no idea what you are eating that is calling itself butter...but it isnt just butter. Check the regulations in your jurisdiction. Naturally ocurring trans fats don't have to be labelled in the US. They do in Canada.

Ingredients: pasteurised cream, salt

0.2g transfats/10g

If that isn't butter, I don't know what the fuck is.

Are these trans fats something that should be bothering me, then?

And why would you need to cut them out completely, surely that you can have a certain amount without doing any harm?

If you actually pay attention to what you ingest, which a great many people do not. The fact that you aren't even certain that they are something you should avoid is proof positive that people aren't necessarily going to pay attention to health warnings.

If you actually pay attention to what you ingest, which a great many people do not. The fact that you aren't even certain that they are something you should avoid is proof positive that people aren't necessarily going to pay attention to health warnings.

And you're doing a great job of warning people of those health risks, by completely and utterly avoiding my question. Thanks!

Are these trans fats something that should be bothering me, then?

And why would you need to cut them out completely, surely that you can have a certain amount without doing any harm?

Methinks you should be bothered, unless you want nasty clogged arteries and a huge risk of a coronary.

As for the harm bit, just eat in moderation is all I can say. Eat balanced meals and exercise, and you should be fine. Look, I know an elderly couple from Minnesota who've eaten pancakes, eggs, and bacon every morning for decades, and they're not in the least bit of bad health (they're around 80 years old, too).

Then again, everybody's different, and I'm sure that same diet could kill another person just as easily as it sustains those two...

And you're doing a great job of warning people of those health risks, by completely and utterly avoiding my question. Thanks!

Jesus christ...are you fucking serious? Do you want me to chew your food for you too? I provided the wiki link, which in turn has 68 links to information.

First and foremost, trans fats are linked to coronary heart disease. Studies are also being done on what look like very possible links to cancer, diabetes, obesity, liver dysfunction and infertility. These have not been definitively proven yet, but hey, I'm going to lay off the trans fats anyhow.

These have not been definitively proven yet, but hey, I'm going to lay off the trans fats anyhow.

Same here. I like to play it safe, and I've been careful to read every single label on every food product I buy... And I've been extra cautious about eating fast food.

Jesus christ...are you fucking serious? Do you want me to chew your food for you too? I provided the wiki link, which in turn has 68 links to information.

First and foremost, trans fats are linked to coronary heart disease. Studies are also being done on what look like very possible links to cancer, diabetes, obesity, liver dysfunction and infertility. These have not been definitively proven yet, but hey, I'm going to lay off the trans fats anyhow.

And I read the link. I was asking you for more information/a non Wiki answer, but hey, what kind of a question is that? In a thread on the subject, of all places!

I'd calm down about things a little, if I were you, or the stress will get you a long time before this trans fat boogeyman ever does.

And I read the link. I was asking you for more information/a non Wiki answer, but hey, what kind of a question is that? In a thread on the subject, of all places!

I'd calm down about things a little, if I were you, or the stress will get you a long time before this trans fat boogeyman ever does.

Get snippy with me at your own risk there bucko.And you're doing a great job of warning people of those health risks, by completely and utterly avoiding my question. Thanks!

Don't tell me that deserved less than what it got.

I'm not here to digest your information for you. IT'S DIRECTLY LINKED TO CORONARY HEART DISEASE. Very clear right there in the link. Not much more to say about it, is there?

I personally don't care if you avoid it.

I care about avoiding it.

Convince yourself. That was hardly my intention with this thread.

Check the regulations in your jurisdiction. Naturally ocurring trans fats don't have to be labelled in the US. They do in Canada.

Ingredients: pasteurised cream, salt

0.2g transfats/10g

If that isn't butter, I don't know what the fuck is.

Awww, your kidding. Those bastards.
I ignore the information you have provided...I will not surrender my butter.

Judging by the area and exchange codes, Faygo's a Michigan product, no?

Indeed it is.

Going on 100+ years of making soda pop, they also made the first diet cola.

BetterMade chips are also a Detroit product.

a non Wiki answer

No such thing anymore :)

Indeed it is.

Going on 100+ years of making soda pop, they also made the first diet cola.

BetterMade chips are also a Detroit product.

You know, I'm going to buy some of that Faygo Strawberry when I get my next paycheck...

Awww, your kidding. Those bastards.
I ignore the information you have provided...I will not surrender my butter.No, butter is still better than margarine. If you don't have issues with cholesterol that is. But since I'm getting it from butter, meat, cheese, etc...I want to make sure I'm not getting it from anywhere else.

No such thing anymore :)

Wiki is but a portal. If you're not verifying things through the links provided, you're setting yourself up for trouble.

And seriously. There are PSAs on this shit...where have people been that they haven't already heard of the dangers of trans fats?

I stopped eating cheese.
I love cheese.
Real cheese, all cheeses.

But I cook with butter. Damn it.
And i tried to go without meat...but I cant. I crave flesh.

So cheese was laid to rest.

Delicious cheese.

My BP is a little high...so I have also reduced sodium.

I stopped eating cheese.
I love cheese.
Real cheese, all cheeses.

But I cook with butter. Damn it.
And i tried to go without meat...but I cant. I crave flesh.

So cheese was laid to rest.

Delicious cheese.

My BP is a little high...so I have also reduced sodium.

I couldn't live without cheese. I justify my continued consumption with the fact that cheese is full of good stuff for you. I could never be a vegetarian, and it's all because of BBQs. So instead, I severely cut down on portions. I'd rather have a rich, delicious meal that leaves me still a little hungry after, than eat just beans and lentils ALL the time.

Make up for the cheese by eating more oatmeal (which reduces cholesterol) and making sure you have whole grains instead of white rice, flour etc.

Wiki is but a portal. If you're not verifying things through the links provided, you're setting yourself up for trouble.
That is why the wiki articles link to real sources at the bottom. Wiki is a good place to get the general idea but if you want sure facts then check the sources they link to at the bottom. It's never good to trust a single site without double checking.

I had very high cholesterol...it's a hereditary thing...

I started following the South Beach plan, and my cholesterol went down to normal...high normal, but normal just the same. It allows cheese on it. I think the reason the cheese and eggs and stuff are ok is because it also calls for quality carbs in the form of whole grains, brown rice, whole wheat, etc.

If you like hot cereal, I just found one that is oat bran...very helpful for lowering cholesterol....it's really really tasty, I just toss some frozen blueberries in it (mainly to cool it off enough to eat...but it adds good stuff in there too)

The transfat thing freaks me out too, as there is quite a bit of heart disease in my family as well...so I'm definitely watching out for it. Though, because of the south beach thing, I am cooking whole food a whole lot more than eating processed, and I can't eat alot of processed stuff anyway, because it's filled with MSG.

As for avoiding it, I would think that if you are making sure to watch it in most things, processed food and whatnot, that what you find in butter and chocolate isn't going to hurt you too much.