Trans fat is the artificial fatty acids found in processed foods, i.e. your arch nemesis. Eating foods that are made with trans fat can cause heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. That’s why the FDA has announced that trans fats are going to be completely eliminated from the American food supply by 2018. This is a huge step for us, but until this change is fully complete, look out for these foods that still have hidden trans fat in them.
1. Ice Cream
Photo by Kathleen Lee
That’s right, your favorite dessert can still contain trans fats. Häagen-Dazs ice cream is a known offender and still sells ice cream with small amounts of trans fat (0.5-1 grams). This one might be particularly hard to part with, as their ice cream is basically heaven in a pint. Try making your own healthy banana ice cream instead.
2. Store-Bought Pie Crust
Photo by Michael Habisohn
Marie Callendar’s still dishes out pie crusts that contain 1.5-4 grams of trans fat per serving. Make a gluten-free and dairy-free pie crust instead if you’re watching your fat intake.
3. Popcorn
Photo by Brooke Gabriel
Yes, sadly your favorite microwavable popcorns may still contain trans fats. Pop Secret butter-flavored popcorn contains 5 grams of trans fat per serving. Don’t worry though, you can easily make your own microwave popcorn.
4. Biscuits
Photo by Kelly McAdam
Those delightful, buttery little biscuits you get from the convenience store may make a delicious breakfast, but they’re still full of trans fat and sodium (1.5 grams of trans fat per biscuit, ouch). Start out your morning with mini breakfast bagels instead.
5. Cereal
Photo by Courtney Hatfield
Your favorite cereals like Fruity Pebbles and Froot Loops still contain trans fats, unfortunately. Make sure you read the ingredients—if foods contain less than 2% of hydrogenated vegetable oil, they are allowed to list 0 grams of trans fat in the nutrition facts. If you can’t stop eating cereal until 2018, make this protein-packed cookie crisp cereal to curb your cravings.
6. Crackers
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Crackers like Ritz and Saltines still contain small amounts of trans fat (1-2 grams). Never fear, you can snack on hummus and chips or veggies in the meantime.
7. Frosting
Photo by Rachel Ankley
That creamy and sugary spread that tops all of your homemade cupcakes and birthday cakes is secretly full of harmful fats. One serving of even the sugar-free Pillsbury chocolate fudge icing has 2 grams of trans fat. Next time you’re baking, channel your inner Betty Crocker and make these lemon cupcakes with homemade blackberry frosting.
8. Bisquick
Photo by Catherine Ku
Yep, this magical box of powder is actually really unhealthy for you, with 2.5 grams of trans fat per serving. Make some dark chocolate chip bran pancakes from scratch instead.
9. Frozen Pizza
Photo by Amy Yi
Your go-to lazy night dinner is really full of trans fat—a DiGiorno cheese pizza has over 3 grams of fat per serving. So you should vow to learn how to make a good, basic pizza for your every craving. Try to make this easy broccoli flatbread when you’re first starting out.
10. Coffee Creamer
Photo by Alexa Nakamura
Those sweet little Coffee-mate coffee creamers are pretty deceivingly innocent, but don’t be fooled—they have partially hydrogenated oils listed under the ingredients. Check out some healthier alternatives to put in your coffee.