Limit Saturated Fats

Limit your saturated and trans fats to less than 20 grams a day. No food element has been more closely linked to arterial aging than these kinds of fats, found mostly in meats, full-fat dairy products, baked goods, fried fast foods and palm and coconut oils.

Trans fats increase the risk for heart disease. While a person may not get heart disease until they are in their 40s, some of our research at the University of Maryland has shown that kids as young as 8, 9 and 10 already have the high cholesterol and blood fats that clog arteries. By starting healthy eating habits early, parents can help their children avoid heart attacks and stroke later in life.

Here are few categories of foods that are likely to have trans fats:
•  Fast foods - fried chicken, fried fish sandwiches, French fries.
•  Donuts, muffins, biscuits, pie desserts
•  Crackers
•  Many cookies
•  Cake, cake icing, & pie
•  Microwave popped corn
•  Canned biscuits