The choices that you make in your food intake impact both you and your baby. When making choices be careful about "artificial" trans-fats in the foods that you digest.



There are artificial trans-fats and natural trans-fats (which are not a health concern). The natural ones are found in some milk and some meats.

It is the artificial trans fats that you have to be concerned about. This type of trans fat is found in some margarines and other processed foods like French fries, cookies and so on.

Ingesting too much artificial trans fats can have negative effects on the health of you and your baby. They can have a negative impact on the cholesterol level in your body. Too much artificial trans fats can result in a decrease in good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) and an increase in the "bad" cholesterol (LDL). Higher levels of the "bad" cholesterol could result in a higher risk of heart disease.

Even before giving birth - too much "artificial" transfats in your diet may elevate the risk of infertility - it may also lead to lower birth weight for a baby. During pregnancy it can cause higher blood pressure for the mom, and may also result in an earlier birth.

If a mom is breastfeeding the trans fats (both good and bad) can be transferred to the baby.

We have listed below some ideas that can help you to reduce the amount of artificial trans-fats in your diet.

* be cognizant of what negative things that having too much "artificial" trans-fats in your diet can do to your baby and you.

* when you shop read the product labels and whenever possible select items that have zero grams of trans fat or products that are trans fat free

* if you see on the product label that the product contains partially hydrogenated oil - begin to realize that this means that there are trans fats in the product. Look for an alternative product.

* reduce the amount of fat in the products that you purchase. Choose low fat dairy products (like low fat milk), and opt for leaner cuts of meat. Also, look for products that are made with no fat or low levels of fat.

* many margarines contain the "bad" trans fats. Start buying margarine that is made with non hydrogenated fat - look on the label for margarines that are "free of trans fat."

* reduce the amount of fried food in your diet. When you do fry your foods switch to more healthy cooking oils. Use oils that are rich in monounsaturated fats and are low in saturated fats - oils like canola or extra virgin olive. Some of the healthier-choice oils like olive oil have the added bonus of containing phytochemicals that may help lower blood cholesterol levels and protect against some cancers.

* use non-stick vegetable oil cooking spray when frying foods. These products are pure fat, but the small amount in a one-second spray only adds an insignificant amount of fat to a recipe.

* when you eat out, ask about the trans fat content of foods on the menu

* eat more whole grain breads, cereals, vegetables, fruit, fish, shellfish (ex. shrimp), beans, nuts and lentils. This will lower the amount of articial transfats in your body.