PEP's Nutrition Suggestions: What are trans fats and what do you need to know?
Trans fatty acids (or “trans fat”) are fats found in such foods as vegetable shortening, some margarines, crackers, candies, baked goods, cookies, snack foods, fried foods, salad dressings, and many processed foods. Manufacturers started including trans fats in their processed foods about 20 years ago to prolong their products' shelf life.

It’s important to know about trans fat because there is a direct, proven relationship between diets high in trans fat content and an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Trans fats pose a higher risk of heart disease than saturated fats, which were once believed to be the worst kind of fats. Saturated fats — found in butter, whole milk products (such as cheese and ice cream), beef, coconut and palm oil — raise total cholesterol levels, but trans fats go a step further. They not only raise total cholesterol levels, they also deplete good cholesterol, which helps protect against heart disease.

Children who start at age 3 or 4 eating a steady diet of fast food, pop tarts, commercially prepared fish sticks, stick margarine, cake, candy, cookies and microwave popcorn can be expected to get heart disease earlier than kids who are eating foods without trans fats. While a person may not get heart disease until they are in their 40s, some research completed at the University of Maryland has shown that kids as young as 8, 9 and 10 already have the high cholesterol and blood fats that clog arteries. By starting healthy eating habits early, parents can help their children avoid heart attacks and stroke.

How can parents take a preventative role in their child’s health?

• Start reading the food labels. The Food and Drug Administration has required that starting Jan. 1, 2006, listing of trans fat will be required to on food labels. With trans fat added to the Nutrition Facts panel, you will know for the first time how much of all three — saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol — are in the foods you choose.

• Model healthy eating behavior and make healthy choices available. Remember to prepare and cook low fat whenever possible. Children over the age of 2 can use low fat products.

• Learn the categories of foods that are likely to have trans fats:
Fast foods (fried chicken, biscuits, fried fish sandwiches, French fries, fried apple or other pie desserts, donuts, muffins, crackers, most cookies, cake, icing and pie, pop tarts, microwave popped corn).

• Be a smart shopper. Shop the perimeter of the store. Most of the processed foods, which contain a lot of trans fats, are on the inner isles of the supermarket. When you do purchase processed foods, choose the lower fat versions of crackers, cereals and desserts.

• Finally, remember that you are responsible for the quality of the foods you bring into the house for your children. Children eat the foods that are available to them.

For more information look at: www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/transfat