Fast Food Nutrition
Nutrition
Fast Food Nutrition and its effects to our health
So let's get back to trans fats. Trans fats start off as plant oils. These plant oils are called poly or monounsaturated fats and are generally good for you. Most of these fats start off at room temperature as liquids like this. But through the process called hydrogenation, these oils are heated to over 400° and a hydrogen gas. Hence the name hydrogenation. And a metal catalyst is added to this oil and poof. We end up with a hydrogenated are partially hydrogenated oil. Hence the name. Hydrogenation. Yes. Sure. So now these oils are either a solid or soft solid in room temperature. Well, why would people create these fats if they're so bad for you anyways? When they were created, it was thought that they would be a healthy alternative to harmful saturated fats like lard. And they have a longer shelf life. Cookies and cakes made with trans fats actually last a long, long time.
This brings down the cost for consumers and brings in more profits for companies. Not to mention, trans fats actually make things taste better. And they can be used to fry foods again and again without the oil going rancid. You can see why fast food chains get so excited about the prospect of saving money and time. I see. But these trans fats have a dark side. Oh yes. It turns out that these trans fats are just as bad for you as the saturated fats they were meant to replace. They have the bad cholesterol, which can build up in your arteries and may cause blockage to your heart. But things are changing. Some foreign countries in U.S. cities are banning trans fats. U.S. fast food chains no longer use trans fats in foreign countries. They found alternatives. And now the USDA allows their companies to say that a product has zero trans fats if it's .5 grams or less. The good news is, because of the public outcry against trans fats, companies are reducing their levels of trans fats from 5 to 8 grams to .5 so they can say this product has zero trans fats. Of course, the bad news is, is that it actually isn't zero.
It's just almost zero. And even small amounts of trans fats can add up very quickly. It's important to know how to read the ingredients. They won't say trans fats. They will be listed instead as hydrogenated oil, are partially hydrogenated oil. Hence the name hydrogenation. Okay, can you not say that anymore, please? Yeah, that's fair. Sorry. One way to find the best foods to eat is check out the nutritional information that your favorite fast food restaurant provides. Many companies list this information on their websites. But looking up this information means planning ahead.