New York Steps Up to the Plate

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

07 Dec 2006 09:55 AM

New Yorkers are known for being an independent bunch and they are by their very nature survivors. This week, New York steps up to the plate in the area of fitness as the New York City's health department announced that restaurants in New York City have to phase out artificial fats that are widely used in frying, baked goods and other food products.

Trans fats, as they are known as, raise the bad LDL cholesterol levels and lower the HDL cholesterol. This can increase inflammation of the internal organs and is considered a major contributor to heart disease. The chairman of the Harvard School of Public Health estimates that removing trans fats from restaurant food could reduce the number of deaths due to heart disease by 6%. There are also studies that suggest that removing trans fats can help reduce dementia and type 2 diabetes.

Restaurants Have Time to Make the Change

Restaurants in New York City will not have to cut their trans fats immediately. They've been given until July of 2008 to cut the trans fats. Restaurants can replace their oils and ingredients with sunflower, olive and soybean oil. These are all unsaturated fats and will provide a healthier alternative to the more typical vegetable oils.

Unfortunately, the switch is not likely to help you lose weight even if it does protect your heart. Cutting fat or changing the fats doesn't mean you are reducing your calories. You still need to exercise regularly and eat fewer calories. Just because a food doesn't contain trans fats doesn't mean it's altogether healthy - you still need to look at the content for starch and sugar. While New York City is definitely taking a heart healthier step forward, fitness experts suggest taking a broader view of your overall diet and exercise to build on that foundation of health.

What do you think of cutting the trans fats?

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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