What Are Trans Fats Being Replaced With?
Monica Reinagel, MS, LD/N, CNS
As more and more manufacturers and restaurants move away from hydrogenated oils, the question becomes: What are they using instead?
Many manufacturers are using a blend of liquid vegetable oil and palm oil. Like hydrogenated oils, palm oil is solid at room temperature, so it makes products more shelf stable and it provides that crisp texture we’ve come to know and love. It’s also relatively cheap and contains no trans fat. It is high in saturated fat, however.
Another alternative that’s starting to show up in ingredient lists is inter-esterified fat. Inter-esterification is a chemical process which converts liquid oils to solid fats by artificially rearranging the shape of the molecules. Haven’t we been here before? In fact, we have.
Inter-esterified fats appear to have the same doubly negative effect on cholesterol levels as trans fats. To add insult to injury, they may also increase blood sugar levels. Although inter-esterified fats contain no trans fats, I’m pretty sure it’s a step in the wrong direction and I’m hoping it won’t catch on.
It’s good to remember the historical developments in the food industry so that you’ll be able to spot the bait-and-switch traps like this one that they sometimes like to play.
My quick and dirty tip is to avoid foods made with hydrogenated oils and inter-esterified fats. The best way to do this is by reading ingredient labels (carefully!) and limiting your intake of commercial baked goods and deep-fried foods. When you’re cooking at home, I recommend that you use butter, palm oil, or coconut oil instead of shortening.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock
About the Author
Monica Reinagel is a board-certified licensed nutritionist, author, and the creator of one of iTunes’ most highly ranked health and fitness podcasts. Her advice is regularly featured on the TODAY show, Dr. Oz, NPR, and in the nation’s leading newspapers, magazines, and websites. Do you have a nutrition question? Call the Nutrition Diva listener line at 443-961-6206. Your question could be featured on the show.