The CDC has announced their findings that white adults in the US are showing a 58% reduction in trans-fatty acids in their bloodstreams. There are very small amounts of Trans fats in meat and dairy products. Trans fats are put in foods to keep them fresh on the grocer’s shelf but, according to the press release from the CDC, are in no way essential to human health.

Trans fats were originally put into foods as a healthier alternative to saturated fats. It turned out that Trans fats were also bad for your heart. The additive was found to increase LDL levels and decrease HDL levels.

Despite the negative findings Trans fats are still with us and can be found in cooking oils and in some fast foods as well as certain snack foods, like pastries and cookies. In order to achieve a heart healthy diet consumers need to be conscious of what they are eating by closely reading nutrition labels.

Another way to have a heart healthy diet is to eat natural snacks instead of the processed snacks found lining the aisles of your local grocery store. You can satisfy those between meal cravings with delicious all natural snacks, like almonds, that offer many essential nutrients and healthy fats and none of the negatives associated with Trans fats.