Fat

[StoneScratcher]

Where's FAT? Read the labels. If there is anything listed that has the word "hydrogenated" (even partiallly) drop the product. The same for the words "transfats" and "shortening" (doesn't matter if it says vegetable shortening either) drop the product. Don't eat them. Eating 35 calories of bad fat is worse than eating 350 calories of Brazil nuts (which have good fats). Eating 35 calories of bad fat is worse than eating 350 calories of fruit slices with a scoop of 100% fruit sorbet (the one without fake sugar (fake sugar is bad too)).

Do I think these things should be banned (the things highlighted) and laws set up to strip them from the menu? No. They're on the labels and we should read what we're buying before we eat it.

And don't just pick up a package and buy it if it says ZERO TRANSFATS. That is not necessarily true. As long as it is .49% or less in transfats PER SERVING, the label can legally state zero transfats. It does not mean ZERO TRANSFATS. If something has hydrogenated or shortening written in its ingredients stay away from that product if you want zero bad fats sludging up the works and making it impossible (nearly) to quickly and effectively lose weight.

We're all on diets. It's what we eat, that's our diet.

You will be surprised how "lose weight" programs which have "their" diets do not want you to know what's above. Make your own choices, stripping out bad fats, and you'll be eating healthfully, and also saving alot of money because you're not depending on some program to ship you another case of lie-pie and stupe-soup.

By the way. I'm a conservative. And this is not a political thread.

[FidelisAdMortem]

And now you know. And knowing is half the battle.

[StoneScratcher]

And now you know. And knowing is half the battle.

:)) After I posted it and read it, that's what I thought of too. "And now you know..."

Sorry about that. I'm just trying to be helpful.

[FidelisAdMortem]

You're a lifesaver. Keep up the good work.

[StoneScratcher]

Also, for any non-meat eaters, for religious or just because...

Out of curiousity I just found out that Twinkies and all those junk pastries have BEEF FAT in it and loads of hydrogenated crap fat in it.

[StoneScratcher]

You're a lifesaver. Keep up the good work.

That was nice of you to say. Thanks.

[Cav Scout]

Twinkee's rock.

Half of my diet is FAT.
Without it I would wither and die.
Follow someone in the woods at 10000 feet for couple of days when its zero degrees and see just how well your body performs without fat.

[CID_0687]

Also, for any non-meat eaters, for religious or just because...

Out of curiousity I just found out that Twinkies and all those junk pastries have BEEF FAT in it and loads of hydrogenated crap fat in it.
Fat's fine. Carbs are bad.

[StoneScratcher]

Twinkee's rock.

Half of my diet is FAT.
Without it I would wither and die.
Follow someone in the woods at 10000 feet for couple of days when its zero degrees and see just how well your body performs without fat.

A good portion of my diet is fat too. We need fat.

Did you know our brain requires FAT to work? But not the BAD fat. The GOOD fat.

The BAD fat is dumbing down America, I swear this might just be the problem out there.

I'll bring my mittens.

[StoneScratcher]

Fat's fine. Carbs are bad.

Good fat's fine. Bad fat's bad. Carbs? We need them too.

[Cav Scout]

A good portion of my diet is fat too. We need fat.

Did you know our brain requires FAT to work? But not the BAD fat. The GOOD fat.

The BAD fat is dumbing down America, I swear this might just be the problem out there.

I'll bring my mittens.

Bad fat is any fat that does not sizzle when I toss the Rib Eye on the grill.

[Cav Scout]

Fat's fine. Carbs are bad.

Without Carbs your brain will die.

[FidelisAdMortem]

I feel the same way about alcohol.

[CID_0687]

Without Carbs your brain will die.
Only good carbs.

[StoneScratcher]

WEIGHT WATCHERS "Snacks to Satisfy Your Need"

Chex 100-Calorie Packs

We taste-tested the Chex Chocolate-Caramel pack, an almost dessert-like snack that disappeared quickly in our "testing" area. The 100-calorie Chex are available in Chocolate-Caramel and Cheddar flavors (POINTS value of 2 per pack). Available nationwide.

"I love the rich flavor of this new Chex snack pack. It almost tastes like homemade caramel! My favorite way to eat this snack is emptied into a bowl with some ice-cold skim milk." – Amanda Genge

"I loved the chocolate-caramel Chex mix. The sweet-crunchy combo totally hit the spot." – Leslie Fink, nutritionist/recipe editor

Next Steps
Subscriber Highlight: Track what you ate today in our POINTS® Tracker.
Ready to start losing weight?

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=3&art_id=42991&sc=3019

READ the label from Chex site:

http://www.generalmills.com/stream_image.aspx?rid=24430

This actually is quite upsetting to me. Throw out the "100 calorie" nonsense! What good is 100 calories if 30 of them are FAT from hydrogenated oils! Eat a banana, caramel sugared pecans, a chunk of dark chocolate (read label for no bad fats) instead.

I don't understand the WW diet, and I'm not saying it's bad because people lose weight* (do they?) on it...I'm just saying I wouldn't eat it.

* If they lose weight, what's their cholesterol levels like?...






http://ad.doubleclick.net/imp;v1;f;211502492;0-0;0;33042739;1|1;30080980|30098857|1;;cs=i%3fhttp://ad.doubleclick.net/dot.gif?

[Cav Scout]

I feel the same way about alcohol.

What? That without it your brain will die?

[FidelisAdMortem]

What? That without it your brain will die?

Yes.

[Cav Scout]

Only good carbs.

Well you did not specify there are Simple and Complex carbs and your body needs them both in differing amounts.

[Cav Scout]

Yes.

Me too.

[StoneScratcher]

Bad fat is any fat that does not sizzle when I toss the Rib Eye on the grill.

:)) I don't have a grill, but I think you're right! I don't think my portabella mushroom "steak" is going to sizzle. (I'm vegan).

[CID_0687]

:)) I don't have a grill, but I think you're right! I don't think my portabella mushroom "steak" is going to sizzle. (I'm vegan).
I'm a meatitarian...My food eats your food. :)

[StoneScratcher]

I'm a meatitarian...My food eats your food. :)

Well, when you get right to the root of it, my food eats yours too.:razz:

[CID_0687]

Well, when you get right to the root of it, my food eats yours too.:razz:
touche' :))

[khigh]

Also, for any non-meat eaters, for religious or just because...

Out of curiousity I just found out that Twinkies and all those junk pastries have BEEF FAT in it and loads of hydrogenated crap fat in it.

I read the labels for anything that mentions beef, cow parts, and/or gelatin. Nothing that comes from a cow other than milk and milk products (butter, cream, ice cream). As long as it does not kill the cow and preferably if it comes from a local farm where I can see how the cattle is treated, then it is okay to consume.

So, no filled junk pastries for me unless I make them myself.

[Cav Scout]

:)) I don't have a grill, but I think you're right! I don't think my portabella mushroom "steak" is going to sizzle. (I'm vegan).

I am not a bigot, I eat portabella's too. They go very well with a steak.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Fat's fine. Carbs are bad.

Oh poo.

Carbs, protein, fat. All are necessary to ... well, ya know... live.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Only good carbs.

A carb is a carb.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

I am not a bigot, I eat portabella's too. They go very well with a steak.

Grilled portabella is good stuff :)

[StoneScratcher]

I am not a bigot, I eat portabella's too. They go very well with a steak.

I'm not either, I just like to eat naturally processed meat (after used by plants and mushrooms).

[StoneScratcher]

touche' :))

http://forums.hannity.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[StoneScratcher]

I read the labels for anything that mentions beef, cow parts, and/or gelatin. Nothing that comes from a cow other than milk and milk products (butter, cream, ice cream). As long as it does not kill the cow and preferably if it comes from a local farm where I can see how the cattle is treated, then it is okay to consume.

So, no filled junk pastries for me unless I make them myself.

Aren't you amazed how many things have beef products in it?

Industrialized Agriculture changed alot of things for the animals out there. There are some farms that are very good with how they treat their providers (the cows) of the products they sell (milk for dairy products).

[JenyEliza]

Twinkee's rock.

Ever had a fried Twinkie? Yummy!!! :mrgreen:

Half of my diet is FAT.
Without it I would wither and die.
Follow someone in the woods at 10000 feet for couple of days when its zero degrees and see just how well your body performs without fat.

Brrrrr. I shiver just thinking of that.

[StoneScratcher]

Grilled portabella is good stuff :)

Yes. I love to stir fry alot and I'm always using them (baby ones not sliced). The 3-4 inch portabellas pass easily as a "hamburger" in texture and flavor too, when put in a pan with olive oil and seasonings.

It's funny. If I just cook what I usually cook and then feed it to guests not telling them what they are eating is 100% vegan, they say it is great! But if I tell them I am a vegan and then cook something, they get all funny about eating. LOL!

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Yes. I love to stir fry alot and I'm always using them (baby ones not sliced). The 3-4 inch portabellas pass easily as a "hamburger" in texture and flavor too, when put in a pan with olive oil and seasonings.

It's funny. If I just cook what I usually cook and then feed it to guests not telling them what they are eating is 100% vegan, they say it is great! But if I tell them I am a vegan and then cook something, they get all funny about eating. LOL!

My oldest girl was always (mostly) vegetarian. Not as a political statement as much as a taste and health preference. With her youngest baby, he was reacting badly to stuff she was eating (as it came through when breast-feeding), so she quit the dairy and eggs and went mostly vegan (still used honey).

She cooked for me when I visited; even though I knew she was cooking vegan, it was great.

Poor baby couldn't even eat that, though. He was allergic to soy too :(

Beef, soy, nuts, dairy, wheat.... can't remember what else. Seriously allergic. He snagged a chunk of cheddar from his brother and popped it in his mouth and swallowed before anyone could grab him. His eyes swelled shut and nose ran like a faucet. Scared the crap outta me lol.

Doc said he would probably 'grow out of' some of the allergies. When he was about 4 or 5, they took him in to the allergist's office and tried some milk. He spent most of the day there as they went from literally a few drops until he worked his way up to a full cupfull.

She said he drank the cup down and then gave her a look like "hey! you've been holding out on me!!" :lol:

[StoneScratcher]

My oldest girl was always (mostly) vegetarian. Not as a political statement as much as a taste and health preference. With her youngest baby, he was reacting badly to stuff she was eating (as it came through when breast-feeding), so she quit the dairy and eggs and went mostly vegan (still used honey).

She cooked for me when I visited; even though I knew she was cooking vegan, it was great.

Poor baby couldn't even eat that, though. He was allergic to soy too :(

Beef, soy, nuts, dairy, wheat.... can't remember what else. Seriously allergic. He snagged a chunk of cheddar from his brother and popped it in his mouth and swallowed before anyone could grab him. His eyes swelled shut and nose ran like a faucet. Scared the crap outta me lol.

Doc said he would probably 'grow out of' some of the allergies. When he was about 4 or 5, they took him in to the allergist's office and tried some milk. He spent most of the day there as they went from literally a few drops until he worked his way up to a full cupfull.

She said he drank the cup down and then gave her a look like "hey! you've been holding out on me!!" :lol:

Allergies are funny things. Even peanut allergies have been reversed doing the same thing that was done with the milk, as you say above. I'm glad everything worked out! Healthy is healthy, and milk is good food and makes great cheeses too, and ice cream and yogurt and whipped cream. YUM!

I do eat honey, by the way, too.

[SalemsLot211]

I do eat honey, by the way, too.

Doesn't that kinda negate the whole Vegan thing?

[Gray]

WEIGHT WATCHERS "Snacks to Satisfy Your Need"

Chex 100-Calorie Packs

We taste-tested the Chex Chocolate-Caramel pack, an almost dessert-like snack that disappeared quickly in our "testing" area. The 100-calorie Chex are available in Chocolate-Caramel and Cheddar flavors (POINTS value of 2 per pack). Available nationwide.

"I love the rich flavor of this new Chex snack pack. It almost tastes like homemade caramel! My favorite way to eat this snack is emptied into a bowl with some ice-cold skim milk." – Amanda Genge

"I loved the chocolate-caramel Chex mix. The sweet-crunchy combo totally hit the spot." – Leslie Fink, nutritionist/recipe editor

Next Steps
Subscriber Highlight: Track what you ate today in our POINTS® Tracker.
Ready to start losing weight?

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=3&art_id=42991&sc=3019

READ the label from Chex site:

http://www.generalmills.com/stream_image.aspx?rid=24430

This actually is quite upsetting to me. Throw out the "100 calorie" nonsense! What good is 100 calories if 30 of them are FAT from hydrogenated oils! Eat a banana, caramel sugared pecans, a chunk of dark chocolate (read label for no bad fats) instead.

I don't understand the WW diet, and I'm not saying it's bad because people lose weight* (do they?) on it...I'm just saying I wouldn't eat it.

* If they lose weight, what's their cholesterol levels like?...






http://ad.doubleclick.net/imp;v1;f;211502492;0-0;0;33042739;1|1;30080980|30098857|1;;cs=i%3fhttp://ad.doubleclick.net/dot.gif?

It takes 51 days to eliminate 51% of the hydrogenated oil you ingest from your body.

[Gray]

mono-unsaturated fat is very good for you.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Doesn't that kinda negate the whole Vegan thing?

Only if you believe it exploits the bees.

[StoneScratcher]

Doesn't that kinda negate the whole Vegan thing?

No. I eat honey that comes from bee keepers who do not kill the bees.

The thing about being vegan for me, is not that there is animal product in it, (as is in honey, obviously). The thing about being vegan (to me) is that no life is killed so I can eat it.

Now one could say that eating an apple is killing the apple's live cells in it. Well, I don't want to bog down this thread with why that isn't a concern to me. And afterall, the apple was meant to be eaten to disperse the seeds inside.

There are "fruitatarians" who will only eat fruit, not eating, say a head of lettuce because the lettuce plant is destroyed, killed, in the act. I've thought about this, and still am actually, but right now I do eat lettuce. I may, one day decide too, to eat only fruit and associated plants that are not killed in the process of feeding me.

I also find no fault in anyone (I don't judge) if they choose to eat veal, or steak, or sushi or swallow frogs alive. We're all free to live and eat whatever we want. So why should I thump my belief upon others? I will never do that, nor have I.

I don't eat what kills other animals because I have something that I see whenever I look at animals (including humans). It's a strange thing, I suppose (?), not sure, but I have yet to find others who are quirky as I am.

Anyway, it is just my belief, although not tied to any religion, it is just my belief that I, personally should not kill other animals, take their lives, so my physical mortal body can live off of that death.

Honey doesn't do that. Neither will maple syrup to a tree. Same thing. But don't get me wrong. If that maple tree is sitting on top of oil, the tree goes, and I say drill.

[StoneScratcher]

It takes 51 days to eliminate 51% of the hydrogenated oil you ingest from your body.

I didn't know that. Interesting, thanks! I did read some articles that said that fat cells cannot ever be dieted down into non-existence. They will only become empty, but still there. Unless you suck them out with lipo. The fat cells created by transfats and hydrogenated fats are amazingly aggressive in wanting to be filled up again. To put it simply, each fat cell that is stored in a body created by these fats is like having millions of "Audrey" type voracious eaters screaming to the human mind "FEED ME!!!". Throw a diet anything drink into that, and you've got nothing on your mind, except: HUNGER.

[StoneScratcher]

Great information on fats:

The Facts on Fats (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/nutrition/fats-facts.php)<----click here (read link below for a labeling "loop hole".

Also, a must read about labeling, for those interested:

Company claims consumers duped by trans fat labeling loophole

By Caroline Scott-Thomas, 20-May-2009

Related topics: Industry (http://forums.hannity.com/Industry)
Consumers who choose foods labeled ‘zero trans fats’ could still surpass their recommended daily limit due to FDA rules that allow up to 0.49g of trans fat per serving to be rounded to zero, says spread company Smart Balance.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Industry/Company-claims-consumers-duped-by-trans-fat-labeling-loophole

[Gray]

Natures’ Band-Aid for scratches and scrapes inside arteries is called LDL cholesterol.

When you consume hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated you load your blood up with molecules that have jagged little claws that scratch and scrape the inside of the arteries and cause LDL cholesterol to be deposited there to help heal the scrape.

LDL cholesterol is extra sticky and acts like a magnet or like flypaper, attracting every little bit of particulate matter and debris. The result is arterial occlusion, which is a fancy way of saying hardening of the arteries.

If the blood pathway narrows, the heart must beat harder and harder to supply blood. Narrower arteries and a heart beating harder and harder is high blood pressure, and high blood pressure sets the stage for potentially life threatening health problems. http://www.drrussellshealthandweightlossblog.com/70/hydrogenated-oils-and-your-health-what-is-hydrogenation/

more info...

[StoneScratcher]

http://www.drrussellshealthandweightlossblog.com/70/hydrogenated-oils-and-your-health-what-is-hydrogenation/

more info...

Great information! It kind of sounds like nasty little Ninja throw stars (shurikens) running through your veins.

[angelicmadrigal]

My opinion on it has always been unless you have health issues that require you to eliminate certain foods from your diet, you should pretty much eat what you like and what you want. Life's too short to go around worrying about fat, calories, etc. Sorry, I'm not going to spend an extra hour or whatever in the grocery reading labels. It's just not important to me.

[StoneScratcher]

My opinion on it has always been unless you have health issues that require you to eliminate certain foods from your diet, you should pretty much eat what you like and what you want. Life's too short to go around worrying about fat, calories, etc. Sorry, I'm not going to spend an extra hour or whatever in the grocery reading labels. It's just not important to me.

It's too bad kids aren't taught to read before they put things in their mouths. Reading labels, for example, would give kids a chance to exercise free-thinking decision making skills before they eat anything. Those are educated decisions.

Maybe public schools could teach that, after of course, they teach kids there is such a thing as our Constitution which protects those free choices.

Eating, without regard for what one throws into their mouths, is similar to voting without knowing the ingredients with which that candidate is made.

[angelicmadrigal]

Eating, without regard for what one throws into their mouths, is similar to voting without knowing the ingredients with which that candidate is made.

Never said I dont' read the labels, what I said is I don't OBSESS about it. I don't see the point in it. If you like something eat it , if you don't then don't eat it. My bf and I already have to spend extra time at the grocery store perusing labels for things he can't have because of allergies: Yellow #5 and MSG, so I'm really not goign to waste MORE time, just so I can pretend to be a food expert.

[StoneScratcher]

Never said I dont' read the labels, what I said is I don't OBSESS about it. I don't see the point in it. If you like something eat it , if you don't then don't eat it. My bf and I already have to spend extra time at the grocery store perusing labels for things he can't have because of allergies: Yellow #5 and MSG, so I'm really not goign to waste MORE time, just so I can pretend to be a food expert.

Waist, it does a body good. :whistle:

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

There are "fruitatarians" who will only eat fruit, not eating, say a head of lettuce because the lettuce plant is destroyed, killed, in the act.

Reminds me of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmK0bZl4ILM

[StoneScratcher]

Reminds me of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmK0bZl4ILM

LOL! Now that's ridiculous! :)) Thanks for posting the link!

[StoneScratcher]

Video on transfats which experts say kill 30,000 people a year. The video also says that it is one of the most dangerous ingredients found in our food supply.

Let me put it this way, say China had imported this into dog food or cat food, and it killed 30,000 pets a year, would you be more upset about it?

We're talking about human deaths, approximately 30,000 a year. All because transfats, hydrogenated fats and shortening make for a better shelf life, despite the fact they KILL life:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp0nc4kY-tc

[CaptainPike]

Shortening??? Are you out of your mind??

The only right way to cook chicken livers is in shortening!

[StoneScratcher]

Shortening??? Are you out of your mind??

The only right way to cook chicken livers is in shortening!

I thought it was with fava beans..? Oh, wait--that's the other liver!

[Hoobeedoo Bejesus]

Got some easy lunch recipes StoneScratcher?

[Cav Scout]

It's too bad kids aren't taught to read before they put things in their mouths. Reading labels, for example, would give kids a chance to exercise free-thinking decision making skills before they eat anything. Those are educated decisions.

Maybe public schools could teach that, after of course, they teach kids there is such a thing as our Constitution which protects those free choices.

Eating, without regard for what one throws into their mouths, is similar to voting without knowing the ingredients with which that candidate is made.

Not trying to be disrespectful of your chosen lifestyle here, but I am going to treat this like Bill O'Riley treats the 'food-nazi' on his show. Stay away from my kids. The public school system is already way overloaded with touchy feely crap that confuses kids. My dear old grandad lived to be 97 (moms side) on three fried meals a day. The issue is he got off of his rear end and worked it all off until the day he died. His wife, my grandma is 104 last month and still has a fried egg and two strips of bacon every morning for breakfast. I think we will be fine. I agree we should read what is on our food labels and I agree that perhaps in health class this should be gone over with students, but that should be the extent of it. Let me determine what to teach my children about their health thank you. Yes a lot of kids and adults eat very stupid, I do not care. That is called Darwins law, stupid people do not live as long. It is far more about being active. Couch potato's are going to die no matter what they eat.

[khigh]

Aren't you amazed how many things have beef products in it?

Industrialized Agriculture changed alot of things for the animals out there. There are some farms that are very good with how they treat their providers (the cows) of the products they sell (milk for dairy products).

I use a lot of long horn products. The Wildlife Refuge has a special use area for long horn to be used for milking/food. It's still part of the Refuge and they are rotated in and out of the huge prairies.

Also, I have taken a liking to buffalo milk and cheeses. They do the same thing with them. I also buy milk and ice cream from a place called Braums. They are only within an 8 hour radius of Oklahoma City and I have been to the farm there.

[khigh]

My opinion on it has always been unless you have health issues that require you to eliminate certain foods from your diet, you should pretty much eat what you like and what you want. Life's too short to go around worrying about fat, calories, etc. Sorry, I'm not going to spend an extra hour or whatever in the grocery reading labels. It's just not important to me.

It's not only health issues, it's religious too. Although, I read labels not only to find ingredients that are not from slaughtered cows, but also things that are high in proteins and fat. I have hyperthyroidism, and drop weight faster than I can put fat in my body. I eat 4 large meals a day, high in fat, and still dropped 15 pounds this year. So, I have to find the products with the highest fat/calorie content, while also making sure it has no cattle products in it (other than milk, cheese, cream, etc). Some people have to spend their days worrying about fat, calories, etc.

[Greyclouds]

Where's FAT? Read the labels. If there is anything listed that has the word "hydrogenated" (even partiallly) drop the product. The same for the words "transfats" and "shortening" (doesn't matter if it says vegetable shortening either) drop the product. Don't eat them. Eating 35 calories of bad fat is worse than eating 350 calories of Brazil nuts (which have good fats). Eating 35 calories of bad fat is worse than eating 350 calories of fruit slices with a scoop of 100% fruit sorbet (the one without fake sugar (fake sugar is bad too)).

Do I think these things should be banned (the things highlighted) and laws set up to strip them from the menu? No. They're on the labels and we should read what we're buying before we eat it.

And don't just pick up a package and buy it if it says ZERO TRANSFATS. That is not necessarily true. As long as it is .49% or less in transfats PER SERVING, the label can legally state zero transfats. It does not mean ZERO TRANSFATS. If something has hydrogenated or shortening written in its ingredients stay away from that product if you want zero bad fats sludging up the works and making it impossible (nearly) to quickly and effectively lose weight.

We're all on diets. It's what we eat, that's our diet.

You will be surprised how "lose weight" programs which have "their" diets do not want you to know what's above. Make your own choices, stripping out bad fats, and you'll be eating healthfully, and also saving alot of money because you're not depending on some program to ship you another case of lie-pie and stupe-soup.

By the way. I'm a conservative. And this is not a political thread.

Transfats are a result of incomplete hydrogenation. Basically, the process of turning "unsaturated fats" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsaturated_fats) into "saturated fats" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturated_fat) fails to completely saturate the fatty acids.

OK, so let me try to explain this in english!

Manufacturers love saturated fats and trans-fats (incompletely saturated) because they have a MUCH longer shelf-life than unsaturated fats. Here's why:

http://telstar.ote.cmu.edu/biology/MembranePage/images/representation.jpg

Unsaturated fats on the right side of the image, and a saturated fat molecule on the left side.

Imagine trying to stack the fats on the right hand side all in a row, side-by-side. The kinks would get in the way, and you'd have a pretty loose configuration! This is the molecular reason why unsaturated fats tend to be in a liquid form at room temperature.

Now, try to stack the fats on the left hand side of that picture in a row, side-by-side. It would be a much tighter fit because all the fats are "linear," right? This is the molecular reason why your margarine and butter are solids at room temperature!


The fats on the left can become solids in your blood stream, and that leads to huge problems. Trans-fats are also "linear" in shape, and that can allow them to become solid at room temp as well.

[StoneScratcher]

I use a lot of long horn products. The Wildlife Refuge has a special use area for long horn to be used for milking/food. It's still part of the Refuge and they are rotated in and out of the huge prairies.

Also, I have taken a liking to buffalo milk and cheeses. They do the same thing with them. I also buy milk and ice cream from a place called Braums. They are only within an 8 hour radius of Oklahoma City and I have been to the farm there.

I wasn't aware they had such places and dairy choices! Interesting!

[StoneScratcher]

Transfats are a result of incomplete hydrogenation. Basically, the process of turning "unsaturated fats" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsaturated_fats) into "saturated fats" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturated_fat) fails to completely saturate the fatty acids.

OK, so let me try to explain this in english!

Manufacturers love saturated fats and trans-fats (incompletely saturated) because they have a MUCH longer shelf-life than unsaturated fats. Here's why:

http://telstar.ote.cmu.edu/biology/MembranePage/images/representation.jpg

Unsaturated fats on the right side of the image, and a saturated fat molecule on the left side.

Imagine trying to stack the fats on the right hand side all in a row, side-by-side. The kinks would get in the way, and you'd have a pretty loose configuration! This is the molecular reason why unsaturated fats tend to be in a liquid form at room temperature.

Now, try to stack the fats on the left hand side of that picture in a row, side-by-side. It would be a much tighter fit because all the fats are "linear," right? This is the molecular reason why your margarine and butter are solids at room temperature!


The fats on the left can become solids in your blood stream, and that leads to huge problems. Trans-fats are also "linear" in shape, and that can allow them to become solid at room temp as well.

Thanks for this, sincerely! Thanks for sharing this, I never knew the reason why they stacked so easily. Fascinating.

[Greyclouds]

Thanks for this, sincerely! Thanks for sharing this, I never knew the reason why they stacked so easily. Fascinating.

You are welcome :)


Sometimes molecular chemistry reflects macro-tendencies, and this is one such case! When you think of fat congealing, just remember that it can do the same thing in your arteries as well!