1. Trans fat is a semi-solid type of oil. Food companies and restaurants use trans fat oils because they are cheap and make food like crackers and baked goods last longer. They also improve the taste and texture of food. Trans fats became very popular in the second half of the 20th century, around the time butter gained a bad reputation for its cholesterol levels. People were advised to use margarine containing trans fats instead because it was considered “healthier,” but butter is now known to be the healthier option.
2. Today, in countries such as the US and Canada, new government restrictions on food production require food and beverage makers to attach Nutrition Fact labels to their products. These labels list daily recommendations and all the ingredients in a product, including trans fats, if they are used. In 2007, New York City banned trans fats from all restaurants, and studies suggest this has prevented hundreds of heart attacks and strokes. Even fast-food chains such as McDonald's have been forced to change their recipes as people become more health-conscious.
3. Fat is necessary in any diet, but there are three different types of fats: saturated fats, unsaturated fats, and trans fats. Doctors recommend that most fatty calories come from unsaturated fats. Neither butter nor margarine falls into this category, though other spreads like peanut butter do. Reading the list of ingredients on the label is a good way to avoid dangerous ingredients like trans fats. Another way is to avoid eating out, especially at fast food restaurants. When shopping, it is better to buy food from the fresh-food section and limit processed and packaged items. While it may not seem important for young people,
the choices made now will affect health later in life. A healthier diet now means a longer, healthier life.