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The absolute worst fats froma health perspective are artificial trans fats. Trans fats are a type of saturated fat, and some trans fats occur naturally in food. But the real troublemakers are artificial—they’remade in laboratories through a process called hydrogenation , in which hydrogen is added to vegetable fat. Trans fats were first sold back in 1911 by the company that makes Crisco, and they came to be staple ingredients in packaged baked goods and inmost fast foods.

“You DON’T need to demonize certain food groups, or restrict your overall food intake, or treat food as the be-all-end-all of health. In fact, putting too much emphasis on our day-to-day food choices doesn’t lead to improved health at all, but to a preoccupation with food and panic about our health.” —Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, CDN

Teen Guides to Health & Wellness: Diets, Cleanses, and Fitness

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