The Skinny on Saturated Fat

The Label Says... Trans Fat

• What it does: Research shows that trans fat is worse for you than other fats because it raises LDL (bad cholesterol) levels while lowering HDL (good cholesterol) levels and increasing inflammation, which is linked to heart disease and diabetes.
• Where it comes from: Trans fat occurs naturally in red meat in small amounts, and it's made artificially for use in processed and bakery foods. Both types are equally bad for you, but people typically eat more of the artificial kind. A store-bought cookie can have between one and two grams of trans fat.
• How much you need: The USDA recommends eating as little trans fat as possible; the American Heart Association suggests limiting intake to less than 1 percent of total daily calories. For a woman on a 2,000-calorie diet, that means consuming less than two grams per day.