“Foods like french fries and fried chicken are often cooked in oils high in trans fats and saturated fats, which raise LDL (bad) cholesterol and promote inflammation,” says Shapiro.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned manufacturers from adding trans fats to foods. But it’s still possible for trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils to appear in trace amounts. In fact, a nutrition label can say it has 0 g of trans fat if it has less than 0.5 g per serving. If consuming lots of foods with trans fats, this amount can add up and increase your risk of heart issues.
“Reading labels carefully can help with limiting or avoiding foods that aren’t the best for your heart,” Shapiro says. “Check for hidden sources of saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars, and sodium.”
Fried foods can also be high in sodium. The American Heart Association recommends not exceeding 2,300 mg a day and eventually aiming for an ideal limit of 1,500 mg of sodium per day. One small serving of french fries has 149 mg of sodium.
“Excess sodium, typically from processed and restaurant foods, can raise blood pressure and promote fluid retention,” Shapiro says, “increasing the strain on the heart and blood vessels.”
Instead of french fries, opt for baking, sautéing, and steaming potatoes, Gordon says.
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