Beware of the ‘Big Fat Lies’ as Told on Web MD

There is an article on Web MD that talks about the ‘Big Fat lies.’ This is a list of truths about fats that people believe and lately experts are correcting people who are misinformed. This is done to ensure that you live the healthiest lifestyle possible.

Common Misconceptions about Fats

Many people believe that trans fats are the only fats you should limit in your diet. This is true, but you should also be careful about saturated fats.

Part of your quest for low-fat foods is in calculating both the content of saturated and trans fats if they are shown on the label. The lowest combined amount of the two is what you should look for when seeking healthier diet alternatives.

Another common misconception is that trans fats are only from soft spreads, and that butter is more nutritious than soft spreads. Neither of these is necessarily true. It all depends upon the brands compared and how each product is prepared.

Furthermore, some people believe that soft spreads versus margarine or butter are less healthy for you. However, (again depending upon the exact preparation methods used) oftentimes spreads contain less saturated and trans fats, less (or zero) cholesterol.

Furthermore, depending upon how certain soft spreads are made they also contain healthy heart attributes such as Omega-3 and Omega-6 oils. While looking for these soft spreads you should consider seeking those with the highest content of vegetable oils, which helps lower the trans and saturated fats.

Trans Fat Versus Saturated Fats

Trans fat is from partially hydrogenated oil. This is a substance often used to make crackers, cookies, chips, and other snack foods. Shortening and lard are the best examples of this.

Some types of natural animal fats are another source of trans fat used to make foods. This often characteristic of fried \ cuisine.
Saturated fats are similar in appearance to trans fats. The only difference is that they occur naturally, and are present in most liquid and solid oils, shortenings, margarines, and butters.

Additional Advice

You should limit both saturated fats as well as trans fats. However, all fats should be regulated. Furthermore, whenever possible you should consider cooking with olive, canola, or other vegetable or nut oil instead of shortening or butter.

You should also be aware that some margarine brands have just as much fat in them as some butters out there. This actually came to be my surprise as I compared labels once. That is part of the reason many newer, healthier alternatives are being sought today.