What steps can you take to ensure your kitchen sources trans fat-free ingredients?

Trans fat, also known as partially hydrogenated oil, is a type of fat that can raise your bad cholesterol and lower your good cholesterol, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke. As a culinary professional, you want to avoid using or serving trans fat in your dishes, not only for health reasons, but also for ethical and environmental ones. Trans fat is often derived from palm oil, which contributes to deforestation and habitat loss for endangered species. Here are some steps you can take to ensure your kitchen sources trans fat-free ingredients.

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1 Read the labels

The first and most obvious step is to read the labels of the products you buy or order for your kitchen. Look for the words "trans fat" or "partially hydrogenated oil" in the ingredient list and avoid them. Some products may claim to have zero grams of trans fat per serving, but still contain small amounts of it. Check the serving size and do the math. If the product has less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving, it can be labeled as trans fat-free, but that doesn't mean it is. Aim for products that have no trans fat at all.

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Germán De Bonis

Senior Mentor en Gastronomía y Liderazgo • Impulso tu camino de superación 1:1 • Keynote Speaker • Linkedin 1% Social Selling Alimentos y Bebidas • 20 años de experiencia. • Escritor y Formador
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Los términos relacionados con las grasas trans en los rótulos de alimentos pueden variar dependiendo de las regulaciones específicas de cada país y las prácticas de etiquetado. Aquí tienes una lista de términos y compuestos que comúnmente se utilizan para referirse a las grasas trans o que pueden indicar la presencia de estas grasas en los alimentos: • Grasas trans • Ácidos grasos trans • Grasas hidrogenadas • Parcialmente hidrogenadas • Aceite vegetal hidrogenado • Aceite vegetal parcialmente • Ácido eláidico • Margarina • Grasas Es importante leer las etiquetas de los alimentos cuidadosamente y estar al tanto de las regulaciones locales sobre el etiquetado de las grasas trans.

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2 Choose healthier oils

Another step is to choose healthier oils for cooking and baking. Oils that are liquid at room temperature, such as olive, canola, sunflower, or safflower oil, are better than solid fats, such as butter, lard, or shortening. These oils have more unsaturated fats, which can lower your bad cholesterol and raise your good cholesterol. They also have less saturated fats, which can raise your bad cholesterol and contribute to heart disease. You can also use oils that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as flaxseed, walnut, or soybean oil, which can reduce inflammation and improve blood pressure.

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Germán De Bonis

Senior Mentor en Gastronomía y Liderazgo • Impulso tu camino de superación 1:1 • Keynote Speaker • Linkedin 1% Social Selling Alimentos y Bebidas • 20 años de experiencia. • Escritor y Formador
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Los aceites considerados saludables generalmente no contienen grasas trans, especialmente cuando se consumen en su forma natural y no han sido hidrogenados. Aquí tienes una lista de aceites saludables, ricos en ácidos grasos insaturados, como los monoinsaturados y poliinsaturados, que son beneficiosos para la salud cuando se consumen con moderación: 1. Aceite de oliva 2. Aceite de aguacate 3. Aceite de canola 4. Aceite de girasol 5. Aceite de cártamo 6. Aceite de almendras 7. Aceite de nuez 8. Aceite de linaza o lino 9. Aceite de sésamo 10. Aceite de coco Estos aceites pueden ser una parte saludable de la dieta cuando se usan con moderación y en lugar de grasas saturadas o trans.

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3 Substitute or modify ingredients

A third step is to substitute or modify ingredients that may contain trans fat. For example, instead of using margarine, which often has trans fat, you can use butter, which has natural saturated fat, or a plant-based spread, which has unsaturated fat. Instead of using cream, which has saturated fat, you can use milk, yogurt, or a non-dairy alternative, such as almond, oat, or soy milk. Instead of using pastry dough, which may have trans fat, you can use phyllo dough, which has less fat and more layers. You can also reduce the amount of fat in your recipes by using applesauce, mashed bananas, or pureed prunes instead of oil or butter in baked goods.

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4 Ask your suppliers

A fourth step is to ask your suppliers about the sources and types of fats they use in their products. You can request that they provide you with trans fat-free options or alternatives. You can also look for suppliers that have certifications or labels that indicate they use sustainable and ethical practices, such as organic, fair trade, or rainforest alliance. These suppliers are more likely to avoid using palm oil or other ingredients that harm the environment and the people who produce them.

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5 Educate your staff and customers

A fifth step is to educate your staff and customers about the benefits of trans fat-free ingredients. You can train your staff on how to read labels, choose oils, substitute or modify ingredients, and ask suppliers. You can also inform your customers about the health, ethical, and environmental reasons why you use trans fat-free ingredients. You can display signs, menus, or flyers that highlight your trans fat-free dishes or products. You can also share your stories, tips, or recipes on your website, social media, or newsletter.

By following these steps, you can ensure your kitchen sources trans fat-free ingredients and create dishes that are delicious, nutritious, and responsible. You can also improve your reputation, attract more customers, and make a positive impact on the world.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Germán De Bonis

Senior Mentor en Gastronomía y Liderazgo • Impulso tu camino de superación 1:1 • Keynote Speaker • Linkedin 1% Social Selling Alimentos y Bebidas • 20 años de experiencia. • Escritor y Formador
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Aquí tienes una lista de ingredientes comunes que pueden contener grasas trans, junto con sus sustitutos saludables que son prácticos para cocineros profesionales. Estos sustitutos ayudan a mantener la calidad y el sabor de los alimentos, al tiempo que ofrecen opciones más saludables. 1. Margarina y Mantequilla Hidrogenada • Margarina sólida, mantequilla hidrogenada. • Sustituto Saludable: Mantequilla pura, aceite de oliva extra virgen, aceites vegetales no hidrogenados (como el aceite de canola, girasol, soja).

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What steps can you take to ensure your kitchen sources trans fat-free ingredients?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Read the labels

2 Choose healthier oils

3 Substitute or modify ingredients

4 Ask your suppliers

5 Educate your staff and customers

6 Here’s what else to consider

Culinary Education

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What steps can you take to ensure your kitchen sources trans fat-free ingredients?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Read the labels

2 Choose healthier oils

3 Substitute or modify ingredients

4 Ask your suppliers

5 Educate your staff and customers

6 Here’s what else to consider

Culinary Education

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