The Dark Side of the Pantry

Yup – it’s cold out and the snow is flying… Kelli’s decorating the house for Christmas (watch for our virtual tour soon)… So – it’s obviously the time of the year where we snuggle up in front of the fireplace and enjoy comfort food. Or, well, honestly – sometimes comfort food becomes junk food… sorta.
Well – recently we went on an expedition through the pantry to remove those foods which cause the most harm… and by harm we mean – Join the fight against Trans Fats!
What it is: Trans fat is made when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil — a process invented in the late 19th century to help lengthen the shelf life of food products. The added hydrogen also makes frying oil last longer and oils act more like animal solids (and I always KNEW there was something totally evil about margarine – beyond the nasty taste)
Where it’s found: According to the Food and Drug Administration, trans fat can be found in products like cookies, crackers, vegetable shortenings, some margarine’s, snack foods, everything. Just look for the phrase “partially hydrogenated oil” on the label. On Jan. 1, 2006, all food manufacturers were required to label trans fat in their products.
BUT: They only need to label quantities great than 0.5g/per serving (and we all know what a REAL serving size is)… so – you need to read the label for ANY “partially hydrogenated” or “hydrogenated” oil products… and AVOID.
Under FDA regulations, “if the serving contains less than 0.5 gram [of trans fat], the content, when declared, shall be expressed as zero.” Food products, such as crackers, could contain .49 grams of trans fat and not require a label. You can eat a serving of crackers (about 5 crackers, depending on brand and definitely not unusual for snack food) — and still get trans fat. Two servings that might seem to have 0 trans fat could actually have nearly a gram – (that’s only 10 crackers for you math whizzes).
And any amount of trans fat –- even in trace quantities -– can increase your chances of developing heart disease.
So what did we find on our expedition in the pantry…
Yup – ‘Tis the Season to gorge… I’m all for that… and comfort foods too. I’ll be making lots in the coming weeks… but I’ll be using real butter! So – enjoy the season – eat to your hearts content… but as a public service announcement- eat for your hearts content too – read all the labels of your foods – and stamp out all “partially hydrogenated oil” this season – your heart will thank you.