Definition: Trans fats, also called trans fatty acids, occur naturally in some foods, such as meat and dairy products. Vegetarians and vegans still need to be concerned about trans fats, however, since our modern food production system produces and adds them to many non-meat based foods, such as margarine and fried and baked foods.
Trans fats are created through the process of hydrogenation of plant-based oils and animal fats when these liquid fats are turned into soft solids such as shortening or margarine.
Though a healthy vegan is likely eating much less trans fats, a vegan who eats lots of fried and processed foods not prepared at home might be surprised to find out that they may be consuming quite a bit of trans fat.
Read more about trans fats and trans fatty acids.
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Sign up to receive free vegetarian and vegan recipes, resources and tips in a weekly email newsletter. Click here.Also Known As: trans fatty acids, partially hydrogenated oils
