Food & Nutrition Fats 101

Controlling the amount of fat and the types of fat you eat is important for a healthy diet. But fi nding healthier foods in the grocery store can take some detective work. For example, a product label may say “0 grams trans fat” but have as much as .49 gram per serving under government guidelines. When it comes to trans fat, zero isn’t always zero. Trans fat is particularly important because it has been shown to have a negative effect on blood cholesterol levels, even in small amounts. The American Heart Association recommends avoiding trans fat, consuming no more than two grams daily. Look to the ingredient list for clues—if you see “partially hydrogenated oil” or “shortening” on the list, that’s trans fat, so just put it back.