What is a common source of trans fats in the diet?

Partially hydrogenated oils found in processed snacks are a common source of trans fats in the diet. Trans fats are created during the industrial process that adds hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid, which helps improve the texture and shelf life of processed foods. Many snack foods, such as cookies, crackers, and certain kinds of fried foods, often contain these partially hydrogenated oils, contributing significantly to trans fat intake.

On the other hand, options such as nuts and seeds, olive oil, and fresh fruits are generally recognized as healthy food choices and do not contain trans fats. Nuts and seeds are rich in unsaturated fats, olive oil is a source of healthy monounsaturated fats, and fresh fruits are naturally free from any fats, including trans fats. These food categories are encouraged in a balanced diet, contrasting with the intake of processed snacks that typically increase the risk of heart disease due to their trans fat content.