A new regulation that has just passed in B.C is a step in the right direction for those of us who are trying to make healthier food choices! The Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport announced that, as of September 30, 2009, restaurants in B.C will no longer be allowed to use trans fats in their cooking (read article). 

Trans fats are commonly found in many processed foods as they help preserve food freshness. However, this type of fat can be detrimental to health, as it clogs arteries and is known to increase the risk of heart disease.

While at the moment the trans fat ban is only in place in B.C, we can all try to avoid consuming trans fats by making more informed food choices. While some companies are reducing the amount of trans fats in their products, there are others that are still high in trans-fat. Foods which are commonly high in trans fats include for example margarines, deep fried foods, pastries, donuts, cakes, chips, cookies and crackers. For a more detailed list of foods high in trans fat, visit EatRightOntario.ca. 

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the best way to eat healthily and avoid trans-fat is to ‘eat as much fresh food as possible, limit consumption of processed foods, eat five to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables a day, eat lower-fat products, and include items from the four food groups’. (Read full article here).

More information about trans fats can also be found at Health Canada.