WeKnowDieting.com’s Blog

Only the second state to do so (New York was the first), California has officially banned the use of trans fats in restaurants and retail baked goods, with the process beginning in 2010. Although a spokesperson for the California Restaurant Association says that most companies were already in the process of phasing out trans fats (including nationwide fast food chains like McDonald’s, Wendy’s Taco Bell, and KFC), the NY Times reports that the state legislature felt it was necessary to adopt legislation so that trans fats are officially banned. Why the fuss regarding trans fats?

* Trans fats have been directly linked to heart disease, which has been on the rise since the introduction of these partially hydrogenated oils.

* The process that creates trans fats results in a mostly artificial product, which allows products to keep longer on the shelf, but can clog your arteries in the process.

* The growing obesity epidemic has also been linked to trans fats as well, although partially hydrogenated oils are certainly not the only culprit.

We can’t argue that California’s goal to rid the state of trans fats is a positive step, but there are still a few unresolved issues:

* Trans fat is still allowed in packaged products, so it’s up to consumers to ensure that they don’t consume trans fats. One study suggests that consuming just 2% more trans fat can lead to a 25% increase in your chances of developing heart disease!

* As we already mentioned, while trans fats are certainly bad for your heart, they are not the only culprit. As a restaurant owner quipped, “people who eat French fries are not concerned with their health that much.”

* Completing the switch to alternative oils has proven to be a costly process as well, and restaurants are likely to pass this cost on to their customers. With cost of living already borderline ridiculous in California, I can’t imagine paying $2.75 - the projected price from one restaurant owner - for an order of fries.

So, while we applaud California for their step in the right direction, the government can only mandate so much good health. And of course, there’s always the chance that you’ll ruin what’s usually good by frying it in a vat of partially hydrogenated oil (check out our previous post on preparing veggies in the healthiest way possible). The bottom line is that it’s up to the consumer to avoid those products that are bad for you (at least, according to today’s news) and consume more of the products that are good. At least in New York and California, you know you’ll be somewhat safe…