Out With the Trans Fats?

By Namaste Staff Writer

McDonalds has announced that it is switching from cooking oil that contains trans fats to a an oil that doesn’t. The move was initially to comply with a New York law that prohibits the use of trans fats. In light of the fact that more cities are considering banning trans fats, McDonalds has chosen to gradually phase the new oil in nationally.

Wendy’s already switched from hydrogenated fat to a blend of corn oil and soy oil, which has zero trans fats. Taco Bell has also switched, among others. McDonalds will use a blend of canola oil that also contains corn and soy oils.

All of this is meant to reassure us that eating fast foods is okay. We are assured that the chains are “watching out for our health.”

Trans-fatty acids have been useful to the fast foods industry because they have a long shelf life. But the U.S. government now says there is no safe level of trans fats. They are known to promote heart disease.

But are the new oils particularly healthy? And, even if they are free of trans fats when cold, are they still free of trans fats after being heated to high temperatures?

There are other problems with the oils that are now replacing the hydrogenated fats that are known to be so harmful.

When oils are refined, as most cooking oils are, they lose nutrients. When they are heated to high temperatures, they form chemicals, such as acrylamides, that can be harmful—even cancer-causing. And when they become rancid, they introduce large numbers of damaging free radicals into the body.

Fries may well be one of the most damaging “foods” a person can put in his or her body. No only are the fats harmful, insulin levels are adversely affected. There’s simply nothing redeeming about such a diet.

It’s also the case that the Western diet generally contains an imbalance of Omega 6 fats and needs to be balanced by a lessening of vegetable oil consumption and an increase in Omega 3 fats.

There are times when you will want to fry. Rather than using canola, corn, soy, safflower and other polyunsaturated oils for cooking—which contain high amounts of Omega 6—it’s preferable to opt for coconut oil. At low temperatures, olive oil is a good oil to use. But when heated to high temperature, it too becomes harmful. Coconut oil remains stable even at high cooking temperatures.

Coconut oil should be organic, virgin, and unrefined. You can find such oil in your local health food store or order it online. There are many misleading myths about coconut oil, but it is a highly beneficial oil. Some have found that they can lessen or even eliminate thyroid medications by regular consumption of coconut oil.

Butter is also useful for sautéing food. Raw, organic butter, now available online, is your best choice.

Avoid the “fast” variety and eat real foods.