Trans fat/partially hydrogenated oils question

I know that trans fat is bad for you, and that many nutritionists recommend eating absolutely none at all. I know that before the nutrition labels changed to say how much trans fat is in something, you could tell by checking out if there were partially hydrogenated oils in the ingredient list. I also know that something can be listed as fat free if it has less than 0.5g of fat per serving.

So my question is, if a product says that it has 0g trans fat in the nutrition table, but it still lists partially hydrogenated oil in the ingredients, should I avoid it? Might it have some small amount of trans fat in it still?

Mon. Jan 30, 1:17pm

I know for a fact you should avoid it if it has "partially hydrogenated oil" in the title but unfortunatley, I don't have the link to refer you to or the scientific data. I'm sure someone here does though.

Monday, January 30, 2006, 1:34 PM

Stay away from that fat!

This is a link from the FDA. It mentions that hydrogenated fat is basically the same thing. So, to be safe, I would stay away from it. I hope this helps =)

Link

Monday, January 30, 2006, 2:02 PM

How much can 0.5g of trans fat really hurt?

Monday, January 30, 2006, 2:09 PM

I avoid partially hydrogenated anything but I am also bordering on high cholesterol and have an extended family history of heart disease. Avoiding trans fats and saturated fats are wise decisions but unless there are health reasons to be doing so, an occassional dip into the "unhealthy" fat realm won't greatly affect your diet or health. I think it's more important to consider your overall eating habits rather than focusing on a single entity.

Monday, January 30, 2006, 4:33 PM

I saw this TV show on Discovery or TLC, with 2 doctors that went to peoples homes and told them how to be more healthful. They went through their cupboards and gave shopping, diet, and exercise advice. Anyway, they said if an item contains hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated ANYTHING it should not be bought or it should be thrown out. According to them, your body does not digest these oils, and they just sit there clogging you up. They said hydrogenated foods are banned in Europe because they cause so many health problems in the long run. According to them hydrogenation is used as a perservative and does nothing but harm to your body. I willdo a little more research on it, but did anyone else see this show? Do you believe any of what they said?

Thursday, January 24, 2008, 4:01 PM

You're right OP. You have to be careful and read the ingredient list. Even when the package says 0g trans fat, there is often partially hydrogenated oil in the ingedient list, it just doesn't add up to a whole 1 gram.

I'm not really sure how .5 grams of trans fat affects your health, but I try to avoid when at all possible. I don't like to buy items with even a little trans fat because I feel like the manufactuers are "getting away" with something, using trans fat in their products but acting like they don't. Staying away from those products is my way of voicing my opinion. If they really were focused on health they would use healthful ingredients.

Of course sometimes I'm in a hurry and I just need a loaf of bread so I grab whatever is on sale. No one is perfect all the time.

By the way, I think if a lable says "no trans fat" then you're in the clear. It's the "0g trans fat" lable that you have to watch out for.

Thursday, January 24, 2008, 4:24 PM

I am not the OP but have another question.
I have been staying away from fat as much as I can but didn't think to look at the list of ingredients for these things.
10 months ago when I started this new way of eating my cholesteral was 290 something I am pretty sure. I don't remember exactly. Well after 6 months of this diet I asked my dr to check my cholesteral again thinking it would be considerably lower. I have been watching very careful and eat fat free or really low fat everything, And my cholesteral went up. I don't remember how many points. I think it was 7 or so. But he said he thought it might be that it is more inherited in me than food related. My dad had high cholesteral my moms is perfect. She eats butter all the time and cream. Makes me mad I didn't take after her.
Anyway could it be that I just need to read those labels more carefully?
And if it is a family issue then what can be done other than meds and I am very overweight. Should it still go down as I lose. Everything else is getting better health wise. I was hoping that would too.

Thursday, January 24, 2008, 5:18 PM

to 5:18

Congratulations on making healthy heart smart changes. I think as you loose weight your cholesterol is unaffected. My father in law is slender, plays golf and tennis regularly and has terrible cholesterol and has been on meds for it for years. I think you should just keep that healthy lifestyle in focus and add more grains and fruit and follow your doctors orders. Good luck and good going!

Friday, January 25, 2008, 5:57 PM

Thanks,
I am just doing all I can to get healthy and be able to get out and do things. Enjoy my life.

Friday, January 25, 2008, 9:45 PM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge