Trans fat is considered the worst type of fat you can eat. Unlike other dietary fats, trans fat — also called trans-fatty acids — raises your "bad" cholesterol and also lowers your "good" cholesterol. A diet laden with trans fat increases your risk of heart disease, the leading killer of adults.

Why are trans fat worse than saturated fats?

"Trans fats raise (bad) LDL cholesterol levels slightly less than do saturated fats," says Lichtenstein. "But saturated fats also raise levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good" cholesterol, and trans fatty acids don't." Trans fats may actually lower HDL. Thus, some researchers say trans fats are worse.

Can you get rid of trans fat?

It is difficult to completely stop eating trans fat. The goal is to eat as little trans fat as possible. Remember that just because a food is trans fat free does not mean it is fat free. Many food companies have replaced the trans fat in foods with other types of fat – especially saturated fat.