Becel has no trans fat
Health professionals suggest that we reduce the amounts of both saturated and trans fat in our diets.
Becel margarine has been trans fat free since 1978. Download your free trans fat fact sheet here.
- Research shows that both saturated and trans fat can raise blood cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease.
- Health professionals and expert groups like the World Health Organization suggest that we reduce the amount of both saturated and trans fat in the diet.
- Trans fat is just one component of the diet. It is important to remember that your overall diet, not just one nutrient, has the greatest impact on your health. It is important to watch your intake of both saturated and trans fats.
What is trans fat?
- Trans fat is a type of fat that has been shown to raise our blood cholesterol levels.
- Trans fat is made when a liquid oil is turned into a partially solid fat, which is called "partial hydrogenation".
- Trans fat is also found naturally in some animal products like whole milk, cheese, butter, beef, lamb and pork.
What are the sources of trans fat in the Canadian diet?
- Processed food made with partially hydrogenated oil or shortening such as crackers, chips, cookies, and other snack foods.
- Baked goods such as pastries, cookies, pies and Danishes.
- Fried foods like French fries.
- Butter, whole milk, pork, beef and cheese.
How can I make sensible choices about fat?
Since fat is an essential part of the diet, you do need to eat some fat everyday. Fat is important for proper growth, development, and maintenance of good health. Here are some guidelines to help you choose fats wisely:
- Eat less saturated and trans fat. This means limiting your intake of foods such as butter, meat, baked goods, and foods made with shortening or hydrogenated oils.
- Replace saturated and trans fats in your diet with mono and polyunsaturated fats.
- Choose foods that contain monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, canola oil, and soft, non-hydrogenated margarines.
- Choose foods that contain polyunsaturated fats, such as sunflower, safflower, corn and soybean oils and soft, non-hydrogenated margarines.
- Choose vegetable oils or soft margarine over butter, lard, shortening or hard margarine for cooking and baking.
- Check the Nutrition Facts Panel and choose foods that are lower in saturated fat and trans fat
How do I know if there is trans fat in a food?
- By 2006, food labels will list the amount of trans fat on the Nutrition Facts panel of the product package.
- In the meantime, if one of the main ingredients in a food is "partially hydrogenated fat", "hydrogenated fat" or "shortening", then it probably has trans fat in it. You will know if it is main ingredient if it is mentioned near the beginning of the ingredient list.
- Note: fully hydrogenated oils do not contain trans fat, only partially hydrogenated oils do. However, a product that is made with partially hydrogenated oils may use the term "hydrogenated oil" in the ingredient list. The best way to know if there is trans fat in the food is to read the Nutrition Facts panel.
Is a small amount of trans fat of concern?
- Health professionals agree that Canadians should be most concerned with the total amount of saturated plus trans fat in the diet.
- It is very difficult to consume zero grams of trans fat as it naturally occurs in many foods, but efforts should be made to reduce your intake.