Avoid trans fats

Unsaturated fats that have undergone a process known as hydrogenation to become trans fats. This is done to increase the stability of the unsaturated fats found in vegetable oils.

The resulting trans fats are known as partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) because they are not entirely saturated. Since they are solid at room temperature, they give spreads, pastries, and cookies a more substantial texture than unsaturated liquid oils. However, partly hydrogenated trans fats are processed in the body in a negative way compared to other fats. Trans fats lower healthy HDL while raising total cholesterol and LDL. As of 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) outlawed trans fats in processed foods. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global call for the removal of trans fats from the world's food supply by the year 2023. Foods that commonly contain trans fats include margarine and shortening; pastries and other baked goods; some microwaveable popcorn; fried fast foods; some pizzas; nondairy coffee creamer; etc.