12 Feb 2005
Fat Substitute, Once Praised, Is Pushed Out of the Kitchen

This is insane:

In the 1980's, on scientists' advice, the industry replaced saturated fats like coconut oil and butter with oil containing trans fat. Now nutritionists have changed their edict.

Now, I'm not a big fan of any processed ("engineered") food: I like food that's natural. Which is why I was appalled at the original ban on natural oils and their (practically) mandated replacement with trans-fats back in the early 80's.

I figure that, since humans are part of the natural world, we should stick as close as possible to eating what that world designed us to eat. We don't have to constantly one-up Mother Nature. As the old saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" This tale is the perfect example of what happens when you try to fix things that aren't broken.

Studies show artificial fat has the same heart-clogging properties as saturated fat, and it also reduces the good cholesterol that can clear arteries.

(link) [NYT > Home Page]

00:00 /Agriculture | 0 comments | permanent link