Be cautious about the food that you are eating since it can have an impact on the health of your baby and you. When making decisions about the food that you eat try to minimize the amount of artificial trans-fats that you eat.
There are artificial trans-fats and natural trans-fats (which are not a health concern). The natural ones are found in some milk and some meats.
Artificial transfats are in processed foods – such as cookies, french fried potatoes, margarines and other foods. Try to avoid these food choices as much as possible.
Ingesting too much artificial trans fats can have negative effects on the health of you and your baby. They can have a negative impact on the cholesterol level in your body. Too much artificial trans fats can result in a decrease in good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) and an increase in the “bad” cholesterol (LDL). Higher levels of the “bad” cholesterol could result in a higher risk of heart disease.
Eating too much artificial trans-fats has a higher negative effect on women than on men. It can result in higher blood pressure for a woman during pregnancy – it may cause a bay to be born early. It has also been linked to an increased risk of infertility and to lower birth weights.
For mom’s that are breastfeeding the good and the bad transfats are passed on to the baby.
Because reducing the amount of “artificial” transfats is so important to your health and your baby’s well-being we have compiled a list of things you can do to reduce the intake of them.
* be conscious of the impact of the “bad” trans fats for you and your baby.
* when you shop read the product labels and whenever possible select items that have zero grams of trans fat or products that are trans fat free
* if you see on the product label that the product contains partially hydrogenated oil – begin to realize that this means that there are trans fats in the product. Look for an alternative product.
* look for products that are made with no fat or the least amount of fat – buy leaner cuts of meat and dairy products like milk that are low fat.
* many margarines contain the “bad” trans fats. Start buying margarine that is made with non hydrogenated fat – look on the label for margarines that are “free of trans fat.”
* start reducing the amount of food that you prepare by frying. When you have to absolutely fry food try using canola or extra virgin olive oil. These oils are healthier since they have lower levels of saturated fats – and they are high in monounsaturated fats. Consider using olive oil since it contains phytochemicals – which may help lower blood cholesterol levels and protect against some cancers.
* try using a non sticking cooking spray to coat your pan when frying foods. These products used in large amounts are not healthy since they are pure fat – the small amount that you use to eliminate food sticking to your pan will not add very much fat to your meal.
* when you eat out, ask about the trans fat content of foods on the menu
* when you choose to eat more seafood, fish, cereals, vegetables, nuts, fruit, whole grain products (ex. bread) you will lower the amount of “artificial” trans fats in your diet.
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