Of course restaurants, whole cities in fact, can ban trans fats, but do you know that we should not stop there. Another similarly shaped molecule which does as much harm in your arteries and overall cell membrane functioning is the often used - partially and or fully hydrogenated oils. These are what is added to improve shelf life of foods, similar in function to trans fats, but mostly they are used to help keep the "buttery/oil" solids neatly confined inside the cookies, crackers, 0% Trans fat spreads, frosting, most any type of baked good found pre-packaged, Jiff PB and a cupboard, fridge, and freezer full of other processes foods.
Getting rid of these foods often leaves one's cupboards bare - which it has almost done to ours -(that and looking at expiration dates, sigh) But there is joy in an empty pantry! Better foods can replace them as needed - and it leaves more room for craft materials for projects with Jose and for much needed - cool kitchen supplies - like a new rice cooker - and wok - sometime, we'll see! Fact is that even Larry's Doctor said that most things stored in a cupboard are not good for you - and these mostly include C Foods:
cereals (excl. oatmeals, granolas), cookies, crackers, chips, cake mixes, canned foods, caffeinated coffee, candy. If you can think of anything else that might be "hiding in a cupboard", it probably is bad for you; considering that you are hiding it!
Another helpful method, which several friends have described now to me, is looking at the ingredient list on a product. If there are more than 5 or 6 ingredients - you should probably leave it in the store. Also check for corn syrup (+ solids) and/or high fructose corn syrup within this first 5 ingredients or anywhere in the list.
The old addage about shopping around the periphery of a store may be true - but there are also other considerations such as meats and dairy products. We are heading toward the low meat intake. And honestly - this week, with eating meat only once in 6 days (in a vegetable-chicken pot pie I made) has made us believe this transition into healthier foods is completely doable and highly flavorful! The spices and freshness of flavor is astounding and a relief. We both love hot, spicy, aromatics, and complex flavors in our foods, so it has been great working through the 30-minute Vegan Cookbook (see past entry). The added benefit has been cutting down on dairy and white refined foods as well. Whites, the other hazard in foods; especially refined sugar, and bleached white flour. That may be another topic to tackle soon - whole grains!
http://www.bantransfats.com/banitathome.html
