KIN 250 GROUP 19
TRANS FATÂ AND CHOLESTEROL
What is trans fat? Trans fat is partially hydrogenated oil commonly found in baked goods, snacks, and fried food.
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What is oleic acid? Oleic acid is a healthier fat found in vegetable oils, nut oils, and meat.
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Eating a diet with trans fats typically decreases your "good" cholesterol and increases your "bad" cholesterol when compared to a diet with oleic acids.
(Mensink and Katan).
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High density lipoprotein, or good, cholesterol is responsible for transporting excess cholesterol back to your liver for storage or excretion.
Low density lipoprotein, or bad, cholesterol can accumulate in arterial plaques, making it hard for blood to flow normally.
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Often times, making healthy meals can seem like a time-consuming task. If you have a busy life, but are looking for easy and healthy recipes, check out our video! You’ll find easy recipes the you can meal-prep on the weekend and enjoy throughout the week.
The Nutrition Label
Nutrition Labels can be found on most food products. This label is used to approximate the distribution of contents in the products society consumes. Among the nutrients listed, Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats are three of the most popular.
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Carbohydrates can be simple or complex. Simple carbohydrates are broken down and absorbed by the body to provide energy for function. Examples of simple carbohydrates include fruits and diary products. Complex carbohydrates consist of several strings of simple carbohydrates, which means that they take more time to be broken down. Although they provide the body with more energy than protein and fats, they are not as immediate as simple carbohydrates. The majority of immediate energy for the body is derived from carbohydrates, both simple and complex. (Youdim & Geffen).
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Proteins are used to maintain, rebuild, and replace bodily tissue. Although they are not typically used to provide energy, the body will use them if they are not receiving enough energy fulfilling nutrients. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. There are 20 amino acids, but the body can only create 11 of them. The other 9 of them must be consumed in or diet. While amino acids make up proteins, proteins are the builders of the body all the way down to a cellular level. (Youdim & Geffen).
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Fats, complex molecules built from fatty acids and glycerol, are used in the body for growth, creation of hormones, and energy. There are three types of fats, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated. Saturated fats can be found from animal products and are typically solid at room temperature, whereas polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are derived from plants and usually liquid at room temperature. Fats are an essential nutrient in an individual's every day diet. (Youdim & Geffen).
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Nutrition Labels provide consumers with a guide to their diet. By examining these labels an individual can monitor what they intake and maintain health.
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