The Trans Fat Solution: Cooking and Shopping to Eliminate the Deadliest Fat from Your Diet

by Kim Severson, Cindy Burke

Research now confirms that trans fats—linked to heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer—are worse for our bodies than saturated fats such as butter and lard. That's why, in the summer of 2003, the FDA ruled that food manufacturers must list trans fat amounts on nutrition labels. Unfortunately, the new ruling won't be enforced until 2006.In THE TRANS FAT SOLUTION, Kim Severson, James Beard Award–winning food reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, demystifies the science of trans fat (commonly known as partially hydrogenated shortening or oil) and offers simple formulas for detecting it in packaged foods. Working with Seattle-based chef and food consultant Cindy Burke, Severson offers more than 60 quick and delicious recipes for trans fat–free versions of your favorite foods, including Maple Crunch Granola, Bistro French Fries, Chicken-Tarragon Potpies, and, yes, even substitutes for high-fat offenders like piecrusts, waffles, and cookies.So next time you're tempted to open a box of crackers, a bag of microwave popcorn, or a package of ramen noodles, open THE TRANS FAT SOLUTION instead. Your health depends on it.The National Academy of Sciences recently declared that no level of trans fat is safe. It can clog arteries and leads to heart attacks, strokes, and other diseases.Trans fats are found in more than 40 percent of the processed food on super-market shelves—cookies, crackers, cakes, cereals, toaster waffles, biscuits, piecrusts, and even microwave popcorn! Reviews“THE TRANS FAT SOLUTION belongs on every kitchen shelf. The information is most valuable and the recipes are simple and ideal for the home cook.” —Marion Cunningham, author of The Fannie Farmer Cookbook“Great information for the health-conscious consumer. Even I learned something reading the book. ” —Joanne Ikeda, codirector, Center for Weight and Health, University of California, Berkeley“If you're like most people, your pantry is chock-full of foods containing trans fats—cereals, microwave popcorn, cookies, crackers, baking mixes. . . . So how do you go about eliminating this deadly fat from your diet? The Trans Fat Solution by Kim Severson is a good place to start.” —Spirit magazine

131 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Kim Severson has been a staff writer for the New York Times since 2004. Previously, she spent six years writing about cooking and the culture of food for the San Francisco Chronicle. Before that, she had a seven-year stint as an editor and reporter at the Anchorage Daily News in Alaska. She has won the Casey Award Medal for Meritorious Journalism on childhood obesity and four James Beard Awards for food writing."

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book had some great information in it. It's not the kind of reading I'd do for pleasure though.