We hear a lot about trans fats and the fact that they’re bad for us. But what exactly does this mean and how might it impact your office lunch catering choices? Here’s what you need to know.

What are trans fats?

Trans fats are viewed as being a double risk for your heart health. These types of processed fat raise the ‘bad’ blood cholesterol that we want to avoid, and lower the protective kind of cholesterol that we want to encourage. Experts say that trans fats are the worst kind of fat you can put into your body, and that if you eat too much of them, you raise your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

What is the government doing to reduce trans fats?

In the UK, the short answer is ‘very little’. The UK government hasn’t banned food producers from adding trans fats to processed foods. In other countries, such as the USA, food manufacturers are banned from adding them to food and drink products.

What does this mean for UK food?

This means that in the UK, processed foods can contain trans fats. It can be present in foods such as margarine, packaged foods, frozen pizza, biscuits, cakes, cookies and pies, doughnuts, fried foods such as chicken and non-dairy coffee creamers. Look for information on the label that says partially hydrogenated oil – this is the trans fat you are looking to avoid.

How to avoid trans fat in your food

The key to avoiding trans fats is to choose natural and unprocessed foods as far as possible. When you choose office lunch catering, choose a reputable provider and ask for information about their menu choices. Look to read food labels whenever you buy something from the shop to check that it doesn’t list partially hydrogenated oil.

By reading labels and avoiding these dangerous trans fats, you can reduce your risk of having a stroke or a heart attack and help to safeguard your health. For long-term health and well-being, it’s an essential step to take in your food planning.