Trans fats are unhealthy fats made by changing liquid oils into solid fats. They are often found in processed foods, margarine, and fried foods. Trans fats can raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease and other health problems. Because they are not good for you, they are not part of the Paleo diet. Make sure you look at the nutrition facts to ensure there are no trans fats in the foods you choose. For example, if a product like ghee says it has 15 mg of fat and 10 mg of saturated fat, don’t buy it, as we don’t know what the other 5 mg is for.
Always check the nutrition facts on labels before you make a purchase. Look for products that specifically state zero trans fats. This simple step can help you avoid unhealthy fats and stick to your Paleo diet. Watch out for any Paleo products as well, and make sure they contain no trans fats. Why? Because our ancestors wouldn’t have been able to chow down on a bag of chips or a deep-fried snack.
Most fresh meats, like beef, chicken, and pork, do not contain trans fats. However, some processed meat products, like certain sausages, hot dogs, and deli meats, can contain trans fats if they have added ingredients or fillers. When following a Paleo diet, it’s best to choose fresh, unprocessed meats. Always check the labels on processed meat products to ensure they don’t contain trans fats. Choose grass-fed or organic meats whenever possible for better quality.
The Paleo diet focuses on eating whole, unprocessed foods. Instead of trans fats, you should choose healthy fats like ghee, olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado. These fats are better for your body and fit well with Paleo guidelines.
Since trans fats are industrially produced and not naturally occurring in the foods our ancestors consumed, I understand that they conflict with the foundational principles of the Paleo lifestyle, which prioritizes whole, nutrient-dense foods.If you don’t mind, I have a question. Does that mean that all processed foods are not paleo?
You’re right! Paleo is about eating natural, healthy foods like our ancestors did, so it avoids things like trans fats that are made in factories. But not all processed foods are bad. Some, like nut butters with just nuts and salt, or ghee, are still okay on Paleo. Ghee is made by removing the milk solids from butter, so it stays natural. The important thing is to eat simple, natural foods without extra sugar or chemicals. Always check the nutrition label to make sure!