While many seek to a follow healthful diet to shed pounds, others are simply interested in the health benefits that come from following a diet that's low in fat and low in simple sugars. Often, the very same foods that can add inches to your waistline may take years off your life. These foods are usually high in trans fatty acids. According to MayoClinic.com, trans fat is considered to be the single worst thing you can consume. Not only can it cause you to pack on the pounds, but it can lower your "good" HDL cholesterol, raise your "bad" LDL cholesterol and increase your risk of having a heart attack and stroke. You want to avoid foods that have trans fat at all costs.
Fast Food
Fast food served at commercial fast food chains are often high in trans fat and should be avoided. The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) lists fast food among the "Top 10 Foods to Beware." UPenn notes that fast foods such as french fries and fried chicken are deep-fried in partially hydrogenated oil. Unfortunately, although many fast food chains claim to use other cooking oils that are not high in trans fatty acids, some foods may be partially fried in trans fat before they are cooked at the restaurant. Grilled chicken sandwiches, sometimes regarded as the "healthful" alternative to hamburgers, also contain trans fat from the margarine on the grill. MayoClinic.com notes that many fast food chains have stopped cooking in trans fat, but you need to check a restaurant's website for the exact nutritional information on each item to be certain.
Margarine
Margarine, once thought of as a healthful alternative to butter, is a food you should avoid. Both the University of Pennsylvania and the Center for Science in the Public Interest list margarine among the worst foods you can eat because of its trans fat content. UPenn states that margarine is loaded with trans fat and saturated fat, both of which can lead to heart disease. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, stick margarine is worse for your heart health than butter. Instead of substituting butter for margarine, however, Harvard suggests you use olive or canola oil.
Frozen Food
Many frozen foods are among the foods that you should avoid at all costs. According to Colorado State University, frozen foods are among the most likely to have trans fat from partially hydrogenated oil. This is also true for many "convenience packaged foods." UPenn confirms this and warns that frozen pot pies, waffles, pizza and breaded fish sticks all generally contain trans fatty acids, regardless of whether the label says the food is low-fat. More specifically, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Marie Callender's (16.5 oz) Chicken Pot Pie ranked as the No. 1 worst possible food that you can consume.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Trans Fat is Double Trouble for Your Heart Health
- University of Pennsylvania Office of Health Education: The Top 10 Foods to Beware
- Center for Science in the Public Interest: Ten Worst and Best Foods
- Harvard School of Public Health: Fats and Cholesterol: Out with the Bad, In with the Good
- Colarado State University: Is What You Are Eating Really Trans Fat Free?
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