Do You Choose Foods Labeled ‘Zero Trans Fats’

Have you ever found yourself in the grocery store, standing in the chip isle, reviewing the nutritional content on the back?

You are not alone. According to a new survey from market researchers Greenfield Online

72 percent of Americans said they read nutrition labels and facts panels in an effort to make healthy choices when grocery shopping. And 61 percent said they considered ‘zero grams of trans fats per serving’ to be the most important claim for heart health.

Another other story from SmartBrief.com reports

But consumers may be surprised to learn "zero" isn't always zero when it comes to trans fat. Products labeled "zero grams trans fat" could contain up to .49 grams of trans fat per serving under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. That means consumers could easily, and unknowingly, exceed the American Heart Association's recommended limit of no more than 2 grams of trans fat a day.

So despite some of your best efforts, you have been duped.

Well as they say 'the devil is in the details.' Learning to understand the fine print is the key to truly understanding the ingredients in your food choices.

SmartBrief.com

Trans fat in the form of partially hydrogenated oil is most common, which can count for up to 45 percent of total fat content. It is cheaper t to produce that healthier oils, provides food manufacturers with greater processing stability and gives foods a longer shelf life.

The key is to look for 'partially hydrogenated oil' in the list of ingredients. That's a dead giveaway that there's trans fat in the product no matter what it says on the package," said Alyse Levine, a registered dietitian. "Here's a simple rule to follow -- if you see 'partially hydrogenated oil' listed on a product's label, just put it back on the shelf and find another product that doesn't," Levine added.

So next time you find yourself in the grocery store, take a brief moment and read the fine print... look for partially hydrogenated oil. I also recommend that you take a look at this page to learn more about the other ingredients in your food.