Should trans fat ban extend to your pantry? And what should be first to go?

Interesting thoughts that would be difficult to totally disagree with! However, most Americans would not want to pay the taxes that those living in the Scandinavian countries pay. For those who can afford it, organic and free range is available here, but for a price. It appears we are somewhat regulated by modified (governmental interference)supply and demand. What the majority of the people want is cheap, tasty food. Of course, they also want government healthcare to pay for the consequences of eating cheap, tasty food. I prefer a free economy and am willing to pay for or raise healthy eating choices and also pay for my own healthcare. I do not wish to subsidize health care for people who trash their bodies by eating cheap tasty food or psychiatric care for the children pumped up on red dye and sugar.

i think the worst trans fats on the market today is little debbie snacks. they will clog youre arteries fast

I am sick of companies shoving trans fat down our throats. I am sick of these discusting commercials like Burger King and McDonalds advertising their giant sandwiches and Fries try to tempt America into buying them. They are bascially selling heartattacks, and for years I fell for it. (my gut proves it) But know more. I think there should be a ban on advertising Fattening foods on tv just like they banned the advertising of cigerrets. These fast food restaruants are just as deadly as cigerrets. SO BAN FAST FOOD ADVERTISING!!!!!!

Anyone who eats food loaded with trans fats deserves the heart attack that follows. There are lables on all prepared foods so the consumer has the data required to avoide the problem. Consider trans fats a sort of evolutionary control of the stupid.

I know we live in a consumer-oriented society that stresses buying already made products in our supermarkets but with a little imagination and a few minutes each day, it is possible to whip up your own meals and even desserts that are far far healthier than the options that already exist. As a vegetarian, I make my own custards and smoothies by using nothing but fruit and soy milk. Some of my non-vegetarian friends and neighbors were not able to tell the difference. Try using pineapple juice as a natural sweetener in your pumpkin pie or any pie instead of refined sugar. And I have news. I don't want nor need my food to last an eternity on my shelves, hence the usage of trans fats. Food like people age. They are supposed to go bad. Buy as much fresh vegetables, fruit, grains, and food in their natural state as possible and eat them while their just that, fresh. Good health to all! Peace/paz/paix/shalom/salaam!!!

I read this entire article, and maybe I'm missing something, but did anyone notice that ALL the items on the list -- except the frozen dinners -- were junk foods? Did anyone notice this woman talked about making homemade biscuits LOADED with butter and cream, and about dipping Oreos in Cool Whip? Please, please tell me how eating like that is ANY BETTER than eating a few cookies a day with trans-fats in them. This obsession America has with fat -- and trying to ban it from foods -- is myopic. We need to look at our lifestyles. We overindulge in everything and then blame the world for what our lack of self-control does to our bodies. I don't care how many trans-fat free Oreos topped with Cool Whip that you eat, if you don't take the time to exercise and you don't eat in moderation -- whether it's junk food, dairy products, vegetables, even water -- you're going to harm your health. I'm sick of the wasted time and money spent by people who sue companies over their own stupidity and self-indulgence and who want to try to protect the rest of America from our own stupid overindulgences. No one is holding a gun to their heads forcing them to dip Oreos in Cool Whip!! Stop eating like pigs all the time and get off your butts, stop whining about your lousy health and exercise. Stop punishing the world for your own narcissistic stupidity.

No doubt about it, transfat is a killer, but the public can make the difference as to how food is prepared and sold. As the saying goes "suppley and demand" determines how companies prepare their product. If the public will stop buying products that are so unhealthy, you will see more healthier food in the stores. Please read the labels before buying.It takes a little more time to shop, but well worth the effort.

Superb blog. Thanks for sharing and creating such a wonderful piece.

How comfortably arrogant Laurel Richardson sounds, " I prefer a free economy and am willing to pay for or raise healthy eating choices and also pay for my own healthcare. I do not wish to subsidize health care for people who trash their bodies by eating cheap tasty food or psychiatric care for the children pumped up on red dye and sugar"

In a country that is populated by the working poor what a parent wishes and what a parent can financially manage may often be as far apart as the walking distance between here and Scandinavia.

Removing trans fat is not a pancea to healthy eating but it is a good first step in providing healthy, affordable food to the American consumer.

With enough pressure from concerned parents, it won't be the last step.

The argument of powerful corporations and governments around the world, against government regulation of their products, is that people should be free to choose what they want to buy or who they want to represent them. However, it is clear from a number of incidents throughout history, long ago and more recently, that people will make (contrary to the premise of neoclassical economics) irrational and self-abusive decisions when presented with convincing arguments to do so. For a sociopolitical example, recall that the National Socialist German Workers Party was elected by Popular vote in 1920's Germany and their genocidal policies largely supported or denied by the populace. In the United States, there has also been a long history of support and denial of inhumane and irrational policies and behavior. It cannot be ignored that the institution of slavery in this country was widely supported and that the we continue to laud the "founding fathers" who were direct participants in this system. That people continue to abuse each other and themselves then by smoking, drinking, and other ingesting poisons is not surprising. It is simply a continuation of a history of denial, apathy, and indifference toward others in this country. I very much agree that scandinavia generally speaking and certainly Sweden has a very different culture toward the importance of health for everyone. Rather than assuming for example that people ought to be able to make completely rational purchasing decisions on their own in the face of a barage of corporate marketing from an early age, Sweden (and now Britain?) has banned the marketing of products to young children. The idea being that government should be the way that society regulates itself, looks out for those members who cannot look out for themselves in one way or another...children being a key demographic that needs protection from a lot of things, including corporate influences trying to "build consumer bases" for products harmful to health (long or short-term).

Evolutionary control on stupid, now that sounds like an idea. But what is the control for the rest of the ones we would like to get rid of?

I'm one of those that tend not to believe the trans fat hype. I'm waiting for the news reel to come along stating that their is scientific evidence that trans fat is now good for us in some way. They've done it before. Look at apples, first it was good for us, then it caused cancer than its back to good in moderation. Same thing with coffee. It was bad now in moderation it's good. And notice the key word: MODERATION. That's a concept that America and a few other countries (albeit not to the degree as Americans do) can't seem to grasp. I think that his is more of trying to play to our vanity than our health. It's more along the lines of people want fat people to become skinny and we are going to help them not matter what. Think about it. When has government or big business ever truly care about our health when it came them making money, unless it cost them money not to do so?

We are so quick to want to ban anything that we don't feel is good for us or that we blame for our own laziness and self control. What next, mandatory exercise in certain states? What about taking a little accountability? What about self control? Because most of us can't show a little power and use things in moderation, we are now banning things to save us from ourselves? Are you kidding me? How about this, we are giving up our freedom of choice (as silly as that sounds) because we lack the will power to not over indulge. Eating healthy only gets you so far in life. When it's your time to go, it's your time to go. Although you don't need to help it along, in the end it will be the same result: WE ARE GOING TO DIE!

That was well said Emily Rose!

as long as the govt. has decided to enter this trans fat dialogue, why don't they put a READABLE warning like cigarettes, simply stating "this product contains a dangerous amount of transfats" most people in my experience really don't understand or bother to even read (think teens and kids, and the elderly and non english reading)labels-it's all about money and power. Why can beer and not alcohol be advertised. Why is there no warning on liquor about pregnancy. and on and on and on

Okay there is no doubt that many if not most margarines are a major major offender of trans-fats. But there are brands which do not have trans fats or only a trace (Olivio, Smart Balance)about the same that is in Oreos or the potato chips. This should be acknowledged, not just cavalierly tiossed out. Many persons do not eat butter for religious or health reasons and they do have alternatives despite what Ms Gilbert feels.

I do agree that we have to take some responsibility for what we eat and, as far as the woman who talks about dipping oreo cookies into the cool whip; that is also part of the problem. We get so carried away with the "trans fats" or, whatever is the topic of the day, that we forget about the fact that we are just substituting one thing for another. You might avoid the fats but, what about all that SUGAR? Thats not good either...I can't help but remember what I was told a long time ago...."BALANCE", a good balance of food is healthy and, everything in moderation.

No one has mentioned that 0 transfat doesn't really mean zero transfat because the FDA allows a tiny bit of transfat to go unreported. The Harvard School of Public Health has stated that the real transfat free must not list in the ingredients ANY kind of hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil. The Harvard docs note that even a tiny bit of transfat is dangerous. I might add that almost 10 years go I lost 60 pounds and I think going transfat free was a large part of it. I have gained none of the weight back and have actualy lost another few pounds. I avoid transfat like the plague.

AH....the joys of food...more fat the better to reduce the stress of everyday life...we serve a purpose to the economy...employs all those in health care, physical therapy, psychiatry, all diet systems, exercise gyms...all types of television programing...Biggest Loser, documentaries on PBS on anorexia and bulimia, and lets not forget those wonderful stars of the entertainment industry and the ever popular trash tv that our kids are subjected to, not to mention the Internet. Victoria Secret really takes the cake, day time night time...what is the fixation of a bra? I must admit I am an over indulger when it comes to the sweets, and hold myself accountable. Everything in moderation, get the crap out of the school systems, and bring back gym class to the school system would be a start. However, parents hold the key to their kids and what they eat from birth until about 5 or so, what they eat and do will be copied. In society the temptations are all around us, every day, stress, work, play, education, drama, what ever separates the ability for a family, what ever that means, to sit down in the morning and at dinner, IMHO, needs to be addressed. Shut off the cell phone, computer, turn off the TV, and tune into the kids. Obviously, I have a computer, however I only have basic cable TV, no electronic toys..nintendo, gameboy, or playstation. My son is 10, loves his legos, to read, and play in the dirt. There is enough violence on the nightly news, which I choose not to watch, not to mention these games which are expensive addictive babysitters....and to get back to the point....food is the same, addictive when eaten in front of TV, video games, for comfort or for being overly stressed.etc, the brain does not function because of the other stimulation, thus eating continues.....really good for the stomach surgery, lipo suction etc. I love the sentences Karen supplied "Stop eating like pigs all the time and get off your butts, stop whining about your lousy health and exercise. Stop punishing the world for your own narcissistic stupidity." When was the last time your child, you, or your friend or family were held responsible for their actions? Find out your bodys real age, and take the time to be kind to yourself to smell the roses, because ya never know what is around the corner....

In addition to trans fats, people should also stay clear of any products that contain HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.

I was sitting here reading through some of the comments and realized that most people do not even know what they are talking about. I agree that trans fats along with other fats are artery clogging, I even agree that the government has alot of control over things. What I do not agree with is the fact that because someone eats trans fats, they deserve a heart attack. I ate healthy ALL MY LIFE and had a heart attack at age 42. I am 45 now. I was my mothers healthy eater yet my 2 older sisters (even to this day) has not and does not eat healthy and has not had heart attacks. Yes, trans fats are bad but a person can have a heart attack through hereditary circumstances as well. Sometimes just the fact that there is this type as well as other types of "genes" in a family can cause ALL sorts of diseases that are ineventable regardless of how or what you eat. Although I do read labels now, I have alot of grief from my husband, who eats everything under the sun,who also has heart trouble along with taking 2 medications along with others medications that are not for high blood pressure,complains all the time because we cook separately because I refuse to eat what he does. He continuly condemns me for the way I eat. But for me, my health is much more important to me and would rather live a long prosperous life than die young. SO FOR WHOMEVER THINKS THAT THE WAY SOMEONE EATS IS THE REASON FOR A HEART ATTACK, THINK AGAIN !!!! I DID NOT deserve my heart attack, it was just one of those things that happened in my life. I suggest getting the facts straight before declaring that someone deserves a heart attack. What if the person was YOU? Would you still feel the same way? I would hope not.
LIVE LONG & LIVE HAPPY BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL END !!!!!!

I am thrilled with all the recent articles listing foods to avoid because of trans fats and hydrogenated oils - I have been sending to my friends and specifically my husband. He is now reading labels when he goes grocery shopping (which is rare, but...) I hope this opens a lot more eyes to changing people's diet habits... it has definitely changed mine. In turn, I hope it changes the food industry...