Most of my regular readers know I am pretty passionate about trans fats. I often posted updates at my old blog when a restaurant chain switched it’s cooking oil to trans fat free. Why are they so bad you ask? Because trans fats lower HDL (the good cholesterol) and raise LDL (bad cholesterol). That double whammy effect. Besides that they contribute to heart disease and type II diabetes. There’s been a huge movement in the United States to ban trans fats and switch to a healthier cooking oil. Europe is far ahead of us and has been for years. Denmark was the first country in the world to ban trans fat in 2003. The United States and Canada is finally getting the message.
Today Applebee’s International announced it will be switching to a trans fat free cooking oil at it’s 1800 domestic restaurants. I’ve kept an ongoing list in my documents and add to it each time I read another restaurant chain has made the move to trans fat free. That might seem odd to you, but hey I don’t order French fries very often so when I do I like to know if they are fried in a healthy oil. My list below.
-Wendy’s
-Kentucky Fried Chicken
-Taco Bell
-Starbucks
-Pizza Hut
-Arby’s
-McDonalds (in all restaurants by 2008)
-Chili’s Bar & Grill
-Denny’s
-Red Lobster
-Olive Garden
-Ruby Tuesday
-Romano’s Macaroni Grill
-T.G.I Friday’s
-Bennigan’s
-Legal Seafood
-Longhorn Steakhouses
-Bobby Van’s Steakhouses
-Souper Salad (largest soup and salad restaurant in the southwest)
- Fatz Cafe (31 restaurants in the Carolinas, GA and TN)
-Pacini (Canada)
***Burger King has long been a hold out in it’s refusal to switch to a healthier oil. Yesterday, May 16, a consumer advocacy group filed a lawsuit in Washington DC claiming that it was the only chain not committed to eliminating trans fats from their menu. Burger King claims to be testing oils and hopes to have them in restaurants by late 2007 if an oil is found. If not, 2008.
Others:
-Disney Theme Parks
-Lowe’s Hotel
-Jet Blue Airline (all on board snacks)
Technorati Tags: Trans fats – restaurants – Applebee’s
Oh I love Applebees so this is a fantastic thing for me! I don’t usually order alot of fried foods either. WTG Applebees!
Thanks for sharing this list, great to know that so many places I may eat at are going to that way! Fantastic!
I was wondering if there was a list and yes…there it was. Good to know since I’m not getting any younger these days. or any day for that matter.
Red Lobster!…My kingdom for a Red Lobster!
Yes, we need more vigilant people on health issues that there are no easy answers to! I remember Elaine when you first brought this to my attention, I believe it was even before the Oreo lawsuit a number of years ago!
Remember all: “Big Business is out to MAKE MONEY” not look out for the customers’ best interest. Capitalism has its good points but it does have its downside. That is why we need to have vigilant people. otherwise, without it, it is a Monopoly game, “Winner take all”.
Love ya, Elaine, keep up the vigil!
Thank God I live in a big city and do not have to eat at chain restaurants!
Great to know, though fried foods is off my intake list. I was never one to be fond of chain restaurants either, but maybe that’s not a good thing. Perhaps their kitchens are tidier and better than out-of-the way single places.
Hey, that Vote and Results box with questions to ponder is pretty kewl. Nicely done.
Well 3 cheers for Applebees! I love that place, and it’s good to know it’s at least a tiny bit healthier now.
You mentioned that your daughter had her thyroid out. Is it common for your calcium level to dramatically drop afterwards? Our friend Nathan is back in the hospital because of it. And the fact that he has an infection now, too.
Thanks for stopping by!
God bless
Hi Elaine, good for Applebees. Here I don’t eat out very often cause of the fat. I only use virgin olive oil, and Pam too. It’s so important to watch our intake of trans fat. Well take good care my friend, and have a very nice weekend. God bless, Luv, Pauline
I am saddened to see that McDonalds is cutting out all of those delicious trans fats. I may have to rethink my next restaurant excursion. Thank you for this helpful list of places to avoid!!!
-Glad to know this pleased all you Applebee’s fans
-Kirk, I haven’t been to a Red Lobster in years, not sure there are many in MI., I do remember them when I lived in Ohio though.
-Gino, great point about Capitalism, for sure they care more about profits and their bottom line than do about the consumer. Look at the tobacco industry.
-Laoch, it’s not just chain restaurants, it’s all restaurants or places that serve food, from the very upscale, to the food you get at ball parks. It’s your favorite place for lunch or breakfast on weekends. They all have cooking oil.
-Nooner, just remember it’s not just fried foods, its cakes, pastries, the doughnuts that someone brings in to work.
-Cory, tsk tsk tsk what can I say? Did you know Philadelphia banned trans fats? As did NY, and Chicago is debating it. Just a matter of time before city after city starts banning them.
Thanks for the comments everyone
Hi Elaine, yes I have learned a lot about trans fats over the years and basicly stay to eating home, that way I know what I am eating…..In the USA they have a much better system at protecting their people then they do here in Canada, although some of the fast food chains are switching to non trans fat, not all are or are they made to do so, however Canada is doing somewhat better than it was….
Also take note that in the states are barring the imports of a lot of food produced in China because of the Equolie poisioning wrong spelling of course it is from me lol.. the USA has refused to take delievery of 268 shiploads of food in 2006 from China where as in Canada they only banned 56 shiploads, you do the math…..when shopping watch where the food is coming from STAY HEALTHY