Fried Chicken > Does fried chicken contains trans fat

Does Fried Chicken Contain Trans Fat?

Fried chicken is a beloved comfort food for many people. The crispy batter coating and juicy meat make for an irresistible combination. However, fried foods have come under scrutiny for their potential health risks, including their trans fat content. So does fried chicken contain trans fat? Let’s take a closer look.

Does Fried Chicken Contain Trans Fat?

The short answer is that most fried chicken today does not contain significant levels of trans fat due to changes made by major fast food chains and restaurants. However, there are still potential ways small amounts of trans fats can occur:

• • In the past, many restaurants used partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to fry foods like chicken. This process of partial hydrogenation created trans fats as a byproduct. But rising health concerns over trans fats led most chains to stop using these oils.
  • Major chains like KFC, Chick-fil-A, Popeyes, and Church’s Chicken all switched to trans fat-free oils like canola, soybean, or sunflower oil between 2007-2014. This eliminated any artificially added trans fats from their fried chicken.
  • There is still a possibility of trace trans fats occurring in fried chicken depending on the exact oil blend used at certain restaurants. Different oil combinations can create small amounts of trans fat during frying. Checking nutrition labels at each restaurant is the best way to verify.
  • Frying chicken at home can avoid trans fats by using only liquid vegetable oils marked trans fat-free. Oils should not be reused, which increases trans fat levels. Proper frying temperatures (350-375°F) also prevent trans fat formation.

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In summary, while most fried chicken today contains no significant trans fats due to changes in cooking oils and processes, it’s still possible to find trace amounts.

Related post: Does fried chicken contain tyramine?

Verifying nutrition information and requesting trans fat-free oil for home cooking are the best ways to avoid any potential trans fat exposure from enjoyed fried chicken. With proper precautions, you can still enjoy crispy fried chicken without the health risks associated with trans fats.

What is Trans Fat?

Trans fats, or trans fatty acids, are a form of unsaturated fat associated with increased health risks. They are created through a process called hydrogenation, which turns healthy vegetable oils into solid fats for cooking. Partial hydrogenation creates trans fats as a side effect.

Trans fats can be found naturally in small amounts in some meat and dairy products. But a majority come from industrially-produced partially hydrogenated oils. Research has shown that artificial trans fats can raise levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol and lower good (HDL) cholesterol.

This increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. As a result, the FDA has banned artificially produced trans fats.

Why does fried chicken have trans fat?

In the past, fried chicken often contained trans fats because restaurants used partially hydrogenated vegetable oils high in trans fats for frying. This partial hydrogenation process created trans fats as a byproduct. Trans fats were attractive for frying because they were inexpensive and could be reheated repeatedly.

However, due to health concerns over trans fats, most major chains have switched to trans fat-free oils over the past 10-15 years. But small amounts of trans fats can still form if oil is overheated or reused excessively.

Here are some updates on the trans fat status of major fast food fried chicken chains:

• • KFC – Eliminated trans fats from menu items in 2007 and now uses a trans fat free soybean oil. However, some trans fats can still be present depending on what other oils are used by specific locations.
  • Chick-fil-A – Started switching to a trans fat free canola/sunflower blend oil in 2008 and eliminated artificial trans fats by 2014.
  • Popeyes – Switched to trans fat free canola and soybean oil in 2008. May use small amounts of beef tallow for flavor in biscuits.
  • Church’s Chicken – Uses trans fat free cooking oil made from soybean oil and/or canola oil.

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So while most major chains have eliminated trans fats, it’s still possible for some fried chicken dishes to contain small amounts based on the exact oil blend used. Checking nutrition facts panels can verify trans fat content.

How do you fry without trans fats?

If you enjoy frying foods at home, there are ways to avoid trans fats:

• • Use oils marked trans fat free – Look for vegetable oils like canola, soybean, corn, sunflower, or safflower oil. Avoid any marked “partially hydrogenated.”
  • Choose liquid vegetable oils – Solid fats like shortening and lard are more likely to contain some trans fats.
  • Fry at proper temperatures – Heating oil too high can cause trans fat formation. The ideal frying range is 350-375°F.
  • Don’t reuse oil – Reusing oil, especially if overheated, increases trans fat levels.
  • Bake or grill instead – Try baking or grilling chicken for a trans fat free alternative.

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The Bottom Line

Most major fast food chains no longer use trans fat for frying chicken. But small amounts may still occur depending on the oil. Making fried chicken at home without trans fats is possible by using the right oils at moderate frying temperatures. With some adjustments, you can still enjoy crispy fried chicken without the health risks from trans fats.

FAQs

Do trans fats occur naturally?

Small amounts of trans fats can be found naturally in some meat and dairy products. But the majority of trans fats in our food supply are artificially produced by the partial hydrogenation process.

Does deep fried food contain trans fat?

Deep fried foods cooked in restaurants and fast food chains no longer contain significant levels of trans fat. This is due to the switch to trans fat-free liquid oils like canola, soybean, and sunflower oil.

However, trans fats could still occur in very small amounts depending on the oil blend and frying practices. Reusing oil repeatedly can increase trans fat formation. Homemade deep fried foods can avoid trans fats by using fresh trans fat-free liquid oils per batch and frying at proper temperatures.

Are trans fats in chicken dangerous?

Artificial trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils can raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol. This increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. While fried chicken no longer contains significantly added trans fats due to changes in cooking oils, nutritional info should still be checked.

Does KFC still use trans fat?

No, KFC eliminated all artificial trans fats from their menu items in 2007. They switched to using a special trans-fat-free soybean oil for frying their signature Original Recipe chicken and other menu items. However, some trans fats can still occur depending on the other oils used by individual restaurant locations. But overall, KFC no longer cooks with partially hydrogenated oils high in trans fats.

What oil is best for frying chicken?

Oils like canola, vegetable, soybean, corn, sunflower, or safflower oil are good trans fat-free choices for frying chicken. Reusing oil multiple times can increase trans fat levels, so best to use fresh oil. Proper frying temperatures (350-375°F) also help reduce trans fat formation.

Are trans fats banned?

In 2015, the FDA ruled that artificially produced trans fats are not generally recognized as safe. This ban on added trans fats went into effect in 2018, except for limited uses.

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