The Trans-Fattiest Foods in America

Shocking news: A new Harvard study finds that eating bread causes blindness! Why is it, then, that you’re able to clearly read this post as you devour your scrumptious turkey-and-Swiss, you ask? Well, because I totally made that study up. Hoagies don’t steal your sight. But if they did, would you still eat them?

It’s safe   to assume that, no, you wouldn’t go blind for a BLT, but if you regularly consume foods containing trans-fats, then you may be making an equally senseless decision. Scientists have long known that hydrogenated oil—created by adding hydrogen atoms to standard vegetable oil—clogs your arteries and spikes your risk for heart disease, an MO that led the FDA to demand that food producers expose the additive on their labels back in 2006. Studies have since linked the shameful fats to obesity, and alarming new research from Vanderbilt University found that a diet high in trans-fat may even contribute to an increased risk of death from any cause.

But despite getting more bad press in the past seven years than all of the Real Housewives combined, trans-fats are still lurking on supermarket shelves and restaurant menus across America. Not surprisingly, it’s all about the Benjamins: The shady oils are cheap and boast an impressive shelf life, so regardless of their bad rep, they’re attractive to purveyors of mass-produced fare.

What’s worse, reading labels might not be enough to curb your intake. Rodalenews.com editor Leah Zerbe recently reported on a new study that found a side order of onion rings at Long John Silver’s contained nearly three times as much trans-fat as advertised—a heart-stopping 19.5 grams! Plus, the FDA allows food companies to label their products “trans-fat free” if they contain half a gram or less, meaning you could easily, and unknowingly, surpass the American Heart Association’s maximum recommended intake of two grams per day.

My advice: Ignore nutrition panels that claim 0 grams of trans-fat, and scan labels for any sign of hydrogenated oil. Oh, and you’ll also want to stay far, far away from the fatty felons on this list of the trans-fattiest foods in the land.

 Pillsbury Grands Homestyle Original Biscuits (1 biscuit)
170 calories
6 g fat (1.5 g saturated, 3 g trans)
580 mg sodium

Trans-fats make for cheap, fluffy, long-lasting baked goods, which explains why Pillsbury hasn’t been able to give them up. Most of the Doughboy’s Grands Homestyle biscuits—including the original version here—pack 3 grams of the evil additive. Many of their supposedly trans-fat-free pastries still contain trace amounts of hydrogenated oil, too, which could add up in your arteries over time. Refrigerated croissants are usually airier and smaller than their biscuit brethren, making them a less-caloric addition to your dinner plate. And if you go with a health-conscious brand like Immaculate Baking, you won’t find a trans-fat gram in sight.

Eat This, Instead!
Immaculate Baking Crescent Rolls (1 roll)
90 calories
3.5 g fat (2 g saturated, 0g trans)
210 mg sodium

SUPERMARKET SHOCKERS: Trans-fats aren't the only ingredients sabotaging your health.  

 Popeyes Cajun Fries (large)
770 calories
41 g fat (16 g saturated, 3.5 g trans)
1,700 mg sodium

Before trans-fats were publicly shamed, fried potatoes were some of the biggest sources of the dangerous oils. Restaurants loved the convenience of frying their spuds in cheap grease that they could use—and reuse—without worrying that it would go rancid. Public awareness forced most major fast-food joints to remove trans-fats from their fryers, but Popeyes must have missed the memo. All of the chicken chain’s deep-fried options contain the stuff. We don’t make a habit out of recommending carbs drenched in butter and gravy, especially when they contain nearly a day’s worth of sodium, but if you’re craving a comfort-food side for your chicken dish, you’re better off going mashed over fried. You’ll cut your calories by two-thirds, reduce your overall fat intake by 70 percent, and most importantly, your plate will be trans-fat free. 

Eat This, Instead!
Mashed Potatoes (large)
260 calories
12 g fat (6 g saturated, 0 g trans)
1,770 mg sodium

  Marie Callender’s Peach Cobbler
330 calories
19 g fat (4 g saturated, 5 g trans)
17 g sugars

Most desserts have enough nutritional downfalls; they don’t need the addition of harmful, man-made oils. Unfortunately, Marie Callender’s couldn’t resist the cheap, “famously flaky” goodness that trans-fats bring to the table: The pie peddler loads its peach cobbler with more than two days’ worth of the junk! Pumpkin tends to be the leanest fruit pie around, mainly because it only has one layer of fatty refined carbs. Sara Lee resists the trans-fat temptation in its version, making it one of the sweetest deals in the supermarket.

Eat This, Instead!
Sara Lee Oven Fresh Pumpkin Pie
260 calories
10 g fat (4 g saturated, 0 g trans)
20 g sugars

 Pop Secret Movie Theater Butter Popcorn (half a bag)
255 calories
18 g fat (4 g saturated, 7 g trans)
450 mg sodium

Nothing good happens to your diet at the movie theater. Pop Secret’s cinema-inspired kernels, which pack more than three times the recommended trans-fat intake, are no exception. Again, the low cost and extended shelf life are what make hydrogenated oils ideal for microwave popcorn, a snack that’s been known to hang out in the back of kitchen pantries for months. Switch to Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals line and you’ll save around 50 calories—close to 100 if you eat the whole bag (which, let's face it, is probable)—and ditch the heart-harming fats. Unfortunately, hydrogenated oils do make an appearance in some of Orville’s other options, so stick with the Naturals line to stay safe.

Eat This, Instead!Orville Redenbacher’s Naturals Butter Popcorn (half a bag)
213 calories
15 g fat (7.5 g saturated, 0 g trans)
363 mg sodium

SNACK STARS: Snacks should help your diet, not hinder it. An ideal mini-meal is low in calories, high in nutrition, and—most importantly—satisfying!  

  Long John Silvers Platter (with catfish, shrimp, hush puppies, onion rings, and cole slaw)
1,595 calories
99 g fat (22 g saturated, 24g trans)
4,081 mg sodium

According to Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), Long John Silver’s’ new Big Catch combo contains a heart-stopping 33 grams of trans-fat—see the Rodale News story above—but since the seafood seller doesn’t post the nutritional info for the malicious meal, I had to feature this one instead. And there’s plenty here to shiver your timbers. Not only does this platter saddle you with two-thirds of a day’s calories, a day’s load of saturated fat, and two days' worth of salt, it also packs nearly two weeks’ of trans-fat! Order anything on LJ’s menu that took a dip in the deep fryer, and you’re better off walking the plank.  

Eat This, Instead!
Hold the Batter Shrimp Combo (with a corn cobbette, butter, coleslaw, and no hush puppies)
411 calories
15 g fat (5 g saturated)
655 mg sodium