Healthy fat is where it's at. But some fats are on the endangered species list. As of Jan. 1, 2010 trans fats are against the law in California. Foods served or provided in food service establishments are not to contain any oil, shortening or margarine with 0.5 grams or more of artificial trans fat per serving. Violators may be faced with fines up to $1,000. New York has a similar law and other states are joining the bandwagon. </p><p>The good news is that you have until January 2011 to still get the forbidden grasas non grata in things like donuts or cakes. Apparently the makers of these foods have been unable to come up with a good alternative to trans fats in making their products. Using regular oil in things like donuts results in an oily, wet product that no one would want to buy.</p><p>So, what are trans fats? Many years ago many people used things like lard (animal fat) in cooking and baking. Even early forms of margarine were made with lard. It was cheaper than butter and easy to use. Later we found that cholesterol and animal fat was bad for us, so someone came up with a way to make fat hard like lard but only using vegetable oils. They heat the vegetable oil then force bubbles of hydrogen into the oil at high pressure. As the hydrogen atoms bond to the carbon atoms in the oil, the new substance, called partially hydrogenated oil, becomes more solid.</p><p>Shortening and stick margarine are some examples of these commonly used trans fats. Sounded good at the time but when you eat these unnatural fats your body's tissues become filled with them and your risk of heart disease and cancer goes way up. Remember - you are what you eat.</p><p>Not only do trans fats raise your bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, they also lower your good cholesterol (HDL). As a result you can end up with hardened and clogged arteries. The bad cholesterol builds up as plaque on the inside of the artery. The plaque can then break loose and get caught so you can end up with a heart attack or stroke.</p><p>So, what are some healthier fats to take the place of trans fats? First, it is important to remember that fat is fat when it comes to calories. All fats are high in calories so if you are interested in losing weight cutting back on any fat is a good idea.</p><p>Canola oil has been used to make donuts but the process is not very commonly used. Palm oil is also a natural more saturated fat and has been used in many products for a long time. Coconut oil has commonly been used in India but has been starting to increase use here. The oil is naturally hard at room temperature and has a high smoke point so it can be heated to high temperatures without breaking down. Coconut oil is also high in medium chain triglycerides, which are digested and used in the body very efficiently.</p><p>There is no need to use trans fats since there are healthier alternatives available. These other fats cost a little more, but using smaller amounts should make it easier to buy without breaking the bank.</p><p>Chuck Newcomb, MS, RD, CDE is a consulting Registered Dietitian currently providing medical nutrition therapy services for Memorial Hospital Los Banos. He has a Masters of Science in Clinical Nutrition from New York University. E-mail questions to the Attention of ChuckRD at: MHALosBanos@SutterHealth.org.