Comments on: I Hate Oreos

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:25:29 +0000

You contradict yourself in your post. On the one hand you say that you hate trans fats, but then you say that you avoid anything hydrogenated. These are two opposite things! Perhaps a basic understanding of what a fat really is would help. A fat is a long chain of carbons, each with hydrogens attached. If each carbon has its maximum number of hydrogens, it is saturated, and therefore called a saturated fat. If it has double bonds between carbons, the groups on either side can face the same direction, creating a cis unsaturated fat, or on opposite sides, making a trans unsaturated fat. So you see, if you were to hydrogenate a trans or cis unsaturated fat, you would end up with a saturated fat.

Since the unsaturated fats have a kink in them (because the double bonds don’t allow them to be stacked tightly), they are usually liquids, and saturated fats are usually solids. This is why it is generally better to use butter than oil.

But I agree that trans fats should be banned, since they are merely a way for companies to reduce the cost.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 23 May 2003 18:01:09 +0000

I meant to comment on this when you originally blogged it, lol. I didn't think I would be quizzed on reading your blog but on the same day you posted this a mom on the newsgroup alt.mothers asked about controlling cholesterol and what-not. I actually had an answer from following the links you provided, lol.
Thanks Chris!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 16 May 2003 08:13:00 +0000

here in the philippines, People eat oreo than any cookies here. why? because Oreo taste great! And You cant blame Nabisco for that because all of the blames depends on the people who eat oreos. I know that getting fat is a serious thing there in North America today and the Oreo eaters must control their appetite.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 15 May 2003 05:35:22 +0000

Right on, Chris. If I had the crazy cash, I'd hire a dietary consultant to take care of my food preparation. We are severely undereducated when it comes to what is healthy to eat and what isn't. A walk into your local grocery store doesn't help make wise buying decisions. People willingly ignore scientific evidence damning dangerous vices in the name of temporary pleasure. You can trace learning unhealthy eating habits back to childhood, straight to what Mom and Dad pushed in front of your face at dinner. A lawsuit would be good IF Nabisco is forced to clearly display a warning label, something like cigarettes have now. “Warning: Oreos may be hazardous to your health. If you don't care, enjoy!” Imagine the black market prices for Oreos if they were banned. The final choice is what you place in your grocery cart.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 14 May 2003 23:21:18 +0000

transfat may very well be bad for you but hell if i'm going to let the government tell me what i can and can't eat.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 14 May 2003 18:11:38 +0000

It just bugs me because they're suing Nabisco— that just gives more fodder to bad lawyer jokes. Our daughter is a lawyer. All you need to do is look at the fat content or calories in a single Oreo cookie to know it certainly isn't good for you!
I've known since Doc Hall taught us in chemistry class that hydrogenated fats are bad for us. That doesn't mean I don't want to have my Oreo cookie now and again :) But having said that, I admire their, and now ChrisÂ’s, attempt to educate the public, because I think much of the public may be clueless about this. Especially considering I just finished eating a couple handfuls of yogurt covered raisins from Trader Joes that have hydrogenated fat in them! I would've thought that they would be healthier. That hydrogenated stuff is everywhere.
I suppose if the product truly can taste as good without it then we, as consumers, should buy the products that don't have it. Unlike smoking in public places, someone eating an Oreo doesn't harm me. So I'm not particularly inclined to say they should sue. The free market should be able to take care of it. However, you have to admit the Oreo suit has us all talking about the evil ways of hydrogenated fats and other chemicals they add to our food. The answer is education. Keep it coming Chris.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 14 May 2003 05:41:52 +0000

You can take away my Oreos when you pry them from my cold, dead fingers. So there! {;-)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 14 May 2003 04:09:39 +0000

Chris Pirillo: Sucking the joy out of daily life.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 14 May 2003 03:54:40 +0000

I hope cigarette companies start making healthier cigs, liquor companies start making alcohol that's better for my liver, drug dealers selling less deadly crack and credit card companies to stop giving me credit cards. If any of those things happen, I'll be a happy camper. It's a choice, your choice to not eat, drink and do that stuff. Take responsibility for your actions!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 14 May 2003 03:03:14 +0000

This is the same thing as the 'mcdonalds made me fat lawsuit.' It's crap and it's just another way for people to avoid personal responsiblity for the consequences of their actions. Should people eat more healthily? Absolutely. Should it be legislated? Absolutely not.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 14 May 2003 02:23:21 +0000

Hi Chris. Please tell me more about trans-fat and other things that are bad for us to eat. Some of the food we eat affects our ability to think. To me, that means it affects my ability to use my computer. And there in is the nexus of why we should all be concerned about all the chemicals that they put in our food. IÂ’m just glad that someone of your stature is wise enough to talk about it. Until this story broke I'd never considered trans-fat in Oreo's. And when the story first broke I laughed at the crazy Californians again. But reading your blog has made me reconsider. Thanks, we all need to know more about what we are putting in our bodies.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 14 May 2003 02:12:40 +0000

I think the real motive behind trying to ban Oreos, is to get the companies to stop, and think about what they're doing, and hopefully they'll start to make better, healthier products. It's called consumer movement. Without it, companies would do what they liked, and the consumers would suffer. Yes, this is the land of the free, but we also have responsibilities.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 14 May 2003 00:48:16 +0000

Wait….no peeps no oreos
what do you eat

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 13 May 2003 22:57:40 +0000

This is ridiculous. Your kids don't know what kind of crap they are eating and what it does for their bodies BUT THEIR PARENTS DO! Why should we outlaw something because parents placate their kids and buy them crap that isn't good for them? This Oreo story was on our local news tonight here in Ohio and basically California is the LAUGHING STOCK of the entire country. The last time I looked this was the land of the FREE. I personally don't eat anything with transfats but you know what? Far be it from me to preach to people who do let alone OUTLAW a freaking COOKIE!!!! Any moron that thought Oreos were healthy have issues to begin with. “Gee I can't figure out why my kid is so fat… I thought those Oreos were as good as an apple” If a person is stuffing their face with Oreos they know they are taking on whatever risks that go with it. Why do you think they post the ingredients on the package? People who don't care, don't read them, and it thins the herd. It's called natural selection folks.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 13 May 2003 22:30:45 +0000

Jim, I know this is seriouse, and I thank Chris for opening my eyes on this, but what's wrong with a little humor?