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Chewing the Fat (November 3, 2006, Two)

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Program Summary

Just when we were starting to understand the difference between saturated and unsaturated, mono and poly, the health world throws another fat at us – trans fat, a substance not found in nature and exceptionally bad for us. Unfortunately, that trans fat makes a lot of foods taste really good!

What is a trans fat? It’s a type of fat carbon molecule chain that’s created when liquid fats are hydrogenated (have hydrogen added) to turn them into solids, such as margarine and shortening. Liquid fat can turn rancid; hydrogenation keeps them fresher longer, and hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils are often added to processed foods to stabilize them and extend their shelf life. This molecule can interfere with the proper functioning of some of our cells, however, and is believed to be a major cause of heart disease.

How can we avoid trans fat? Until recently, the only way we could was if the product proudly advertised that is contained no trans fat. Since January 2006, though, the Food and Drug Administration has required that every nutrition label list the amount of trans fat contained in that food. Another way to spot trans fat is to look for hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils in the ingredients list. What about when we eat in restaurants? That is much trickier, because most restaurants don’t list all the ingredients in each dish. The City of New York feels that trans fats are so dangerous that it is considering whether it should regulate the amount of transfat in restaurant food..

Guests

Dariush Mozzaffarian, MD, MPH
Cardiologist, Harvard School of Public Health , Boston, Massachusetts

Gail A. Brewer
Council Member--District 6 (Upper West Side and Clinton), New York City Council, New York, New York

Sheila Cohn Weiss
Director of Nutrition Policy, National Restaurant Association, Washington, DC

Susan Allport
Author, "The Queen of Fats: Why Omega-3's Were Removed From the Western Diet and What We Can Do to Replace Them (University of California Press, 2006)
Katonah, New York

Related Links and Resources

FDA: Revealing Trans Fats shows the categories of food in which trans fats are found and breaks down the percentage of different fats in commonly consumed foods
Bantransfat.com: The Campaign to Ban Partially Hydrogenated Oils
American Heart Association: Know Your Fats
American Heart Association: Trans Fat Overview
FDA/CFSAN - Trans Fat Now Listed with Saturated Fat and Cholesterol on Food Nutrition Label
Nutrition Action Healthletter: Trans Fat reveals trans fats in popular restaurant food and has tips on what’s safe to eat
Harvard School of Public Health: Fats & Cholesterol: Nutrition Source offers tips for lowering trans fat intake
Howstuffworks.com: "How Fats Work" shows the specific carbon chains of each type of fat

For Discussion:

• What are the three types of fat? What are the differences between them?

• How is trans fat formed? Why isn’t it good for us?

• Are there some types of fat that are good for us? Why?

• How can we avoid eating trans fat?

• What does the proposed legislation in New York City attempt to do? How?

Activities

In-fat-uated. The New York Times Learning Network offers Some Fats Aren't Phat, an excellent lesson plan that discusses the New York City legislation regarding tran fat, educates students about fat in food and has them examine their own diet for fat content. Learn how to read food nutrition labels at How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label (FDA), then test your knowledge with 5 questions at the Food Label Quiz. Today's Specials (American Heart Association) has students modify simple meals to make them more nutritious.

Get the skinny. A couple took a picture of all the foods they found in their house that contained trans fat and sent it to Bantransfat.com. Have students go through their own kitchens and take a group photo of the food items they find. Then have them read a student’s list of Halloween candy with trans fat. Challenge them to go for a week without any of these items and to find candy and snacks without trans fat.

Get fat fast. We’re a fast food nation. It’s convenient if you’re in a hurry, but fast food can also be the express lane to obesity. NewsHour Extra Lesson Plan: A Nutritional Analysis of America's Obsession with Fast Foods tackles our addiction to fast foot. The Real Truth about Fast Foods and Nutrition is a Thinkquest project that reveals the fat content in our favorite fast food items. You’d never know the site was created by a 2^nd grade class! Cut the Fat! (American Heart Association) provides a list of substitutions for high fat foods. Analyze the school lunch menus, looking for items that may have trans fat and putting together a low-fat meal.

Here’s more food for thought. Visit these Science Friday Kids’ Connection pages:
School Lunches (September 15, 2006, Hour Two)
Diet and Exercise: No, Thanks, I’m on a Diet (May 20, 2005, Hour 2)
Diet and Health: Vitamins (May 20, 2005, Hour Two)
Diet and Nutrition, (Oct 4 2002 Hour 1)
Redesigning the Food Pyramid (Jan 3,2003, Hour Two)

Use the search box below to perform a Google search within any of the specifc sites or general domains mentioned in this Activities section.

Hear the Program

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