Trans Fats Interfere with Nutrient Absorption Across the Placenta
I find it AMAZING that doctors will scare an expectant mother into avoiding things like runny eggs and deli meat for fear of listeria and not speak a single word about the hazards of trans fats.
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What are trans fats? Man-made liquid vegetable oils that have been converted into a “solid” state, like shortening or margarine.
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These “partially hydrogenated oils” are found in:
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〰️Margarine and shortening like Crisco and County Crick
〰️Processed foods like store-bought baked goods, pastries and frostings
〰️Fried foods like french fries, fried chicken, fried pickles, etc
〰️Fast food (pick a joint, any joint)
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These fats are notorious for causing diabetes and cardiovascular disease in general. But consumed during pregnancy, impacts are more far-reaching:
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〰️Interfere with nutrient transport across the placenta
〰️Interfere with many enzymatic processes
〰️Disrupt normal fatty acid metabolism
〰️Disrupt the endocrine system
〰️Worsen insulin resistance, which can be passed onto baby and increase their risk for diabetes later on
〰️Contribute to general adverse pregnancy outcomes
〰️Lowers fat content of breastmilk
〰️Causes breastfeeding issues
〰️Cause reduced learning ability
〰️Drive baby’s allergies, asthma and many other diseases
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“Even at relatively low intake, trans fats are associated with lower birth weight, lower placental weight, and with a higher risk of preeclampsia. They have been linked to fetal loss by interfering with normal placental function.” — Lily Nichols, R.D.
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There’s a healthier way. You can swap these made-made trans fats for more saturated fats like tallow, butter, ghee and coconut oil (ironically, these fats are what trans fats were created to replace — out of cost reduction and convenience).
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Read labels, as companies are allowed to list 'trans fat-free' on their foods with less than 1/2 a gram of trans fat per serving.
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Learn more healthy swaps in my upcoming course!
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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.
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References
Fallon, S. Cowan, T.S. (2013, 2015). The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care. Washington, D.C.: NewTrends Publishing.
Nichols, L. (2018). Real Food for Pregnancy. United States.
Tiecholz, N. (2014). The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat & Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks.
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