TRANS FAT can be found naturally in small amounts in some foods, such as dairy and beef products. Man-made trans fats can increase your LDL cholesterol (bad) and decrease HDL cholesterol (good). Most trans fats are MAN MADE from vegetable oils, and are the worst fats for your heart. Trans fats are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. They are known by many different names, such as hydrogenated fats, shortening, partially hydrogenated, and can also be found in crisco, dalda oils and desi ghee. Trans-fat are found in All deep fried foods, fast foods, many baked goods [donuts, muffins, cake rus, cookies, and snack foods. Many hydrogenated margarines also have high percentage of high fats.

Trans fatty acids or trans fats are made when liquid oils, such as canola, sunflower, corn, and soybean are turned into solid fats. This is done by a process called hydrogenation, by which vegetable oils are converted to solid fats simply by adding hydrogen atoms. Deep fat frying can also create some trans fat, if oils are not used properly. For example, when oils are heated over and over and reused, there is a chemical change happening – turning these healthy vegetable oils to unhealthy, harmful fats, and oil break down.

What CAN YOU DO?

Avoid deep fried foods when eating outside of your home (Samosa,pakora,fish Pakora, Jalebi, Boondi, French Fries, Potato Chips, Tortilla Chips, Microwave and flavoured popcorn).

Limit fast foods particularly those that are breaded. Frozen breaded foods such as chicken fingers, chicken nuggets, and fish sticks are pre-fried. 

Watch for snack foods that may have words in the ingredients that mean trans fats.

When out at family functions, receptions, weddings, choose fresh fruit for dessert. Avoid desserts such as ladoo, jalebi, and gulab-jamun, as these all are deep fried.

• Do not hesitate to ask for your naan, or roti to be unbuttered. Often restaurants use desi ghee or margarine instead of butter on naans/rotis.
• When choosing a margarine, look for the words non hydrogenated. When buying peanut butter, choose the NATURAL peanut butter with the ONLY ingredient listed as peanuts. No other oil should be in the peanut butter.
• Avoid hot beverages such as hot Chocolates, lattes that are made from powdered ingredients. Non-dairy coffee creamer also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
• Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made cake icing is another source of trans fat.