The recent ruling of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) controlling or banning the use of trans fat in processed food is long overdue. This type of fat has been associated with serious health problems such as heart diseases and obesity. But its use in the food industry is widespread that almost all the food that we eat from grocery stores and fast food contain trans-fatty acids. They are found in margarine, vegetable shortenings, snack foods, baked products, and fried foods from your favorite fast food outlets.

What the FDA Says about Trans-fat?

In 2013, the FDA already determined that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) are no longer Generally Recognized as Safe for use in human food and proposed its total phase out. And on June 16, 2015, the agency gave its final decision by banning its use on food products. Manufacturers were given three years to look for alternatives and eventually remove any PHOs in their products. According to the FDA, phasing out of trans fat will help prevent 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths each year. Health experts estimates that American consumers still consume 1 gram of trans fat a day.

One particular study about trans-fat’s health effects shows that it can trigger weight gain and accumulation of body fat. According to the researchers at Wake Forest University, trans fat increases the amount of fat around the belly. It also causes redistribution of fats in the body and move it to the belly area. Other serious health problems that may be caused or aggravated by too much intake of trans fats include:

• Coronary heart disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Liver disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Infertility
• Cancer

How to Avoid Trans Fat?

If trans fat is found in almost all food that you eat, how can you reduce its intake to avoid obesity and other serious health effects? Here are some of our recommendations:

• Choose a diet that includes monounsaturated fats such as olive oil, canola, safflower, sunflower oil and avocadoes.

• Opt for healthy diet plan that focuses on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, poultry, low-fat dairy products, fish and nuts while limiting your intake of sugary foods and red meat.

• Always read the label of the processed food you buy. Choose products with “0 g trans fat” and avoid products with hydrogenated oils in the ingredients list.

• Limit your intake of doughnuts, cakes, pies, cookies, and crackers since most of them contain trans fat. You should also reduce your intake of fried foods from fast food chains.

• If possible, limit commercially fried foods and baked products with shortening or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Eat Healthy for a Healthier Body

Obesity and other diseases can be prevented if you have a healthy diet plan. By carefully choosing the food you eat and by just reading the label of each product you buy from grocery stores, you are already keeping yourself away from these serious illnesses. You can start your healthy lifestyle by reducing or totally eliminating your consumption of trans fat. But if you can’t control your appetite and you still gain weight despite the changes in your diet, try to consider taking Phentermine. This is an appetite suppressant that can help prevent weight gain and also effective in burning those unwanted fats in your body.