Girl Scouts can buy their thin mints from either of two companies: Little Brownie Bakers of Louisville, Kentucky, and ABC/Interbake Foods of Richmond, Virginia.
The Little Brownie version of the popular cookies contains trans fats, a kind of man-made fat recently singled out by the FDA as being particularly unhealthy.
Many Girl Scout councils continue to order their thin mints from Little Brownie, citing reasons of taste. Orders for the cookies have not, as of yet, declined as a result.
How could any organization like the Girl Scouts possibly disregard the massive amount of clear evidence that trans fat is dangerous? Girl Scout leaders should know better than this. It is almost incomprehensible to me that they could be so irresponsible.
It isn't as if they don't have any other options; it is very easy to find sweets that are relatively healthy when consumed in moderation, like organic, minimally processed dark chocolate.
Trans fat, also known as trans fatty acids, is an artery-clogging, cancer-causing fat that is formed when vegetable oils are hardened into margarine or shortening. Not only is trans fat present in many foods today, but trans fat is known to increase blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, while lowering levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as "good" cholesterol.
Trans fat can also contribute to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, many cancers and other serious health problems. Many food companies use trans fat instead of oil because it reduces cost, extends storage life of products and can improve perceived flavor and texture.
Previously, the Girl Scouts could plead ignorance and hide under the fact that there was no requirement to document the amount of trans fat in foods. Now that trans fat content must be stated on the label, they simply have no excuse.
Come on, folks ... Let's boycott Girl Scout cookies. Tell all your friends and relatives to stop buying them. If we continue to put a dent in their sales, maybe they will wake up and listen to enlightened consumers.
I also urge you to read Colleen Huber's awesome piece on safer, healthier alternatives to junk food.
And if you are looking for something really healthy that will curb your craving for sweets or chocolate, try our new energy bar - the Protein Bar. Specially formulated by myself and a team of nutritional experts, Protein Bar is a nutritional powerhouse loaded with a perfect balance of healthy fats, protein and fiber that will truly nourish your body rather than contribute to disease (like so many of the unhealthy bars on the market today do) ... Plus, it really tastes delicious!