Have you ever wondered why so many products are always advertising "No Trans Fat"? What exactly is Trans Fat?

Trans fat is a specific type of fat that is formed when liquid oils are turned into solid fats, such as shortening or stick margarine. During this process hydrogen is added to vegetable oil to increase the shelf life and flavor stability of foods. The result of the process is trans fat.

Where is trans fat found?

• Spreads such as margarines
• Fast food - Fries, chicken, and other foods are deep-fried in partially hydrogenated oil.
• Vegetable shortenings
• Fried foods
• Baked foods such as cookies and cakes
• Frozen foods such as frozen pies, pot pies, waffles, pizzas, and breaded fish sticks
• Donuts
• Soups such as ramen noodles which contain very high levels of trans fat.

One of the most important thing to know about trans fat is that it behaves like saturated fat in the body by raising low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol. This can raise your risk of coronary heart disease.

Good information!! I always check the Nutrition Facts Label on the side or back of a food product to make sure there in no trans fat in the food I am about to buy.

I never realized ramen noodles were high in trans fat! I wonder if that includes Cup Noodles? I used to eat Cup Noodles all of the time for lunch. I've got to check the nutrition facts on those.

I just looked it up... apparently the kind I used to eat all of the time had 0 trans fat. It is very high in sodium though. That can't be good. Here is the link to the nutrition facts:
http://fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition ... ken-flavor

Also... unsaturated fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat, do not raise LDL (bad) cholesterol and are beneficial when consumed in moderation.

Fat is a major source of energy for the body and aids in the absorption of vitamins. Both animal and plant-derived food products contain fat.

When eaten in moderation, fat is important for proper growth and maintenance of good health. As a food ingredient, fat provides taste, consistency, and stability and helps us feel full.

Parents should be aware that fats are an especially important source of calories and nutrients for infants and toddlers - up to 2 years of age, who have the highest energy needs per body weight of any age group.

We now know to avoid foods containing saturated and trans fats, and that unsaturated fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat are beneficial when consumed in moderation. It is advisable to choose foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol as part of a healthful diet.

I've always wondered what the powdery stuff on the noodles is. It sure doesn't taste salty.

Yeah they don't taste that salty, but ramen noodles are loaded with sodium!!!

Ironically, if you eat raman noodles for breakfast lunch and dinner you've got your sodium for the day!