Donatos

Trimming Trans Fats from Your Diet

The skinny on trans fats - what they are and how you can avoid them while still enjoying your favorite foods

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2/13/2008 (COLUMBUS, Ohio) --By Janet Sprouse, executive director of menu development, Donatos Pizza

In the last year, health news reports have been abuzz about trans fats. In December 2006, New York City passed a law banning trans fats, which took effect for most city restaurants in July 2007. Many cities and states are following suit, and the Buckeye state is no exception. Recently, Ohio became the 15th state to propose a bill to ban trans fats from restaurants. With the topic of trans fats dominating health discussions, many consumers are wondering "What are trans fats?" "Why should they be avoided?" and "How can I reduce my intake of the fat?"

What are Trans Fats?
'trans fat" is the common name for a type of unsaturated fat containing trans isomer fatty acid. Trans fats occur naturally in some meats and poultry and are also created when hydrogen is added to liquid cooking oils to stabilize them for baking or frying. Restaurants prefer using the fortified oil as it allows for an extended shelf life.

When consumed in high doses, trans fats have been proven to increase levels of bad cholesterol, or LDL, and decrease levels of good cholesterol, or HDL, which can lead to heart disease, clogged arteries and diabetes.

To encourage consumers to reduce their intake of the fat, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated that all saturated and trans fats be labeled on consumer food products in 2003. The agency also began recommending no more than 2 grams of trans fats per serving.

Eliminating Trans Fats from Menus
Enjoying a meal out once in a while can be a great treat. However, sometimes it can be tough to decide which options are healthiest. While no national or state laws have been passed to outlaw trans fats at all eating establishments, many restaurants are responding to consumers" desire for healthier food options by voluntarily going trans fat-free.

In June 2007, Donatos Pizza voluntarily eliminated trans fats from prepared products on its menu by reformulating dough used for pizzas and bread sticks, and switching to trans fat-free oils for fried menu items. The transition was a smooth one for customers, as Donatos took care to maintain the same taste that customers love. Some trans fats that occur naturally in meats and poultry still exist, however, Donatos offers no more than 1.5 grams per serving in its meat products, which is less than the FDA"s recommended amount.

Reducing or eliminating trans fats can be challenging for some restaurants and fast food companies if most of their foods are deep fried. To become trans fat-free, they must switch to non-hydrogenated oils, but the switch can be difficult and costly because trans fat makes oils last longer. Trans fat-free oils don't have as long of a shelf life, meaning restaurants have to purchase oils more often.

Living Sans the Trans
So what can you do to limit your intake of these harmful trans fats?

•  Be conscious of your food choices and limit your intake of fried foods, since the oil used to fry these foods can be rich in trans fats.

•  Ask questions about food preparations the next time you are at your favorite restaurant, and look up the nutrition facts online. Many fast food and chain restaurants are now posting their food stats online, making it easier to make healthier choices.

•  Be sure to follow the guidelines set by the FDA: don't consume more than 2 grams of trans fats per serving to maintain a healthy intake.

Janet Sprouse is the executive director of menu development at Donatos Pizza. With more than 20 years experience, Sprouse leads Donatos" product development team to create new menu items that meet consumers" ever-changing tastes.

Media contact:
Tom Santor
(614) 416-7700
tsantor@donatos.com