What do you know about "trans-fat?"

Remember, CI: a2kers are above average on most issues. I don't see how the poll could be typical.

edgar, I'm not sure about "above average," but this question is very specific; it's about trans-fat. I think our social group is "above average," but I don't think we're all knowledgeable about trans-fat. c.i.

As a result of some courses I took about 20 years ago, I knew 'something' about trans-fat before the lawsuit. The lawsuit, and the information brought forward as a result, caused me to go back, read some old stuff, and look at the new research.

There are whole segments of the food industry making quite a bit of money by cutting out trans fats and the like. But, average consumers have gone on buying the junk, oblivious to anything but the compulsion to satisfy unhealthy craving. It takes quite a bit to get their attention.

I knew about trans-fat way before this lawsuit, but in the legal thread, it was stated that this was because I am a chef. Well, so be it. If you buy junk, you turn into junk, trans-fat or not. People should be smarter. Even if you did not know anything about trans-fat, you could certainly not make a case that you knew nothing about the 4 food groups, eating a balanced diet and excercising. So the lawsuit educated people about trans-fat. Great, but people have known how to eat a proper diet for years and years, and Oreos and friggin potato chips just were never part of the program! Sorry, but the whole question is frivolous.

I would agree that it's frivolous if more people were "getting it." But, a child who grows up satisfying every urge for potato chips and Oreos has never had enough lessons in self control. It takes a lot to reach these type people.

cav, I agree that this question is "frivolous," because we knew about good and bad foods long before "trans-fats" ever came upon the food scene. Trying to educate the populace on "trans-fats" by initiating a law suit is also "frivolous." The American diet isn't going to change just because some goody-goody lawyer brings a lawsuit "to educate the masses." What's obvious is that over fifty percent of teenagers are over-weight. If anybody wants to change the way Americans eat, it's not going to happen by one law suit - nor many. Over 90 percent of people who go on diets fail, because food is available. It's foolish to think people are going to all of a sudden start studying about trans-fat, because it's bad for our health. How many shoppers read the ingredient label when they go shopping at the supermarket? Therein lies the problem. c.i.

And society should shoulder the blame for those 'type of people?' Even if you know nothing about trans-fat, you have to know that Oreos aren't dinner...or am I just completely naive?

I agree c.i., it seems that these days laziness + guilt = lawsuit.

Somebody has to shoulder the blame for companies bilking the public by pushing food (or other) products they know to be unhealthy while actually hiding as much of the truth as possible for as long as possible. It only takes a small amount of junk food on the order of Oreos or potato chips to put the system out of whack, creating cravings as strong as the urge to smoke or consume alcohol. That is why commercials for this stuff are so successful. It does not take a lot of encouragement to get an addict going.

I was already of a 'trans-fats are nasty' mind before the suit.

I saw in the news this morning some "scum bags" questioning the additives given cattle to save money by making them grow fast. They suggested that some of the additives encourages breast cancer to grow. Fortunately, the ones administering the additives were able to point out that the scum bags, who obviously are only in it for the money, are wrong.

I call them scum bags because this is what I have learned this week from C.I.

With all the flap about trans-fats, very little notice is given to the effect of salt in prepared foods, and the effect on hypertension. There is a great article in today's Tampa Tribune about it, but unfortunately, I can't find it on the online edition.

Bottom line, the government's recommended maximum is 2,400 mg./day.
Average American adult consumes about 4,000 mg./day. Not good.

"Up to 75% of the daily sodium intake comes from salt in processed food".

Here's a good list of foods that are low in fat, as well as salt!

http://216.185.102.50/chf/diet/choosing.htm

That's a good point Phoenix. Again, I know this, but I read labels. Constantly. Too much salt can be a killer. Funny, sometimes when I do cooking classes, people are surprised at how much salt I use to season but in all honesty, it is nowhere near what is in processed food. I find it interesting that people are squeamish about not properly seasoning the food they cook at home, but will still stock the freezer with frozen dinners, or just as bad, use seasoning mixes packed with more sodium than I could ever use on a piece of meat.

Actually, even after reading different websites about
trans-fat, I don't know now what it is.

cavfancier- I can always tell when I have overindulged in salt. It goes right to my legs! One of the things that this article lists are items that can be used to flavor food when you don't want to use salt. ( I am going to make an attempt to type this )

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme in that order I like it...

Phoenix, Your post is important, because it speaks to the fundamental problem with "all" of our diets. Too much salt is a killer, and it's in almost every prepackaged food product. Some frozen foods has almost 50 percent sodium. Those folks talking about trans-fat should redirect their concerns to salt. c.i.