by Jessica Howell

Avoiding Trans-Fats While Traveling

Have you noticed? The New Year, it seems, has swept in a new lifestyle to accommodate it – “green living.” Whether we’re talking gas-sipping hybrid vehicles like Toyota’s Prius or the home-run Mercury Mariner Hybrid, eco-friendly hotels and resorts, or the plethora of organic cafes and natural grocery stores, 2007 is blowing a breath of fresh air into the typical American lifestyle. Whether it’s the earth’s health or our own, we’re gearing up to protect the future.

Fueled by striking reports of the country’s morbid obesity, in-active youth and general laissez-faire health attitude, the Food and Drug Administration has even stepped into action – forcing food manufacturers to list the “bad cholesterol” culprit trans-fat on nutrition facts panels of all products as of 2006.

This little aid makes grocery shopping much breezier; but what about us travelers who so often get stuck in the restaurant rut? Or worse yet, those of us who take a relaxing week off to enjoy our recent weight-loss on a cruise through the Caribbean, only to find upon return that we’ve – gasp! – gained it all back thanks to those tempting, all-inclusive buffets.

Fear not. Hotel and resort properties, as well as airlines and even cruises, have finally started thinking about travelers long-term health. Smart for us, smarter for them – as many people are jumping ship from long-time favorite properties in order to not sacrifice their health.

Sprouting up quicker than flax, eco-friendly and health-oriented properties are scattering across the nation, including wellness-oriented destination spas, hotel rooms that boast work-out gear and active tour options. Now, they’re cutting trans-fats out of their menus, too. It might seem like a small step to some, but for those of us constantly on-the-go, it makes for one less worry – and when a hotel or airline strives to make my life easier, they’re chances of my return sky-rocket.

Here, some of the recent commitments to go trans-fat free:

Hotels
- Loews Hotels
(Complete ban to be accomplished by June 2007)
- Marriott Properties
(Continuing an eight-year effort to remove trans-fats from the vast majority of food served at more than 2,300 international hotels)
- Omni Hotels
(Transition to a zero grams trans-fat cooking oil by March 2007)

Cruises
- Carnival Cruise Lines
(Continuing a two-year effort to remove all trans-fats, with major advancements by July 2007)
- Crystal Cruises
(Totally trans-fat free!)
- Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
(Removing trans-fats beginning March 2007; fully trans-fat free menu expected by December 2007)

Airlines
- United Airlines
(Offers Smartpack in-flight, trans-fat free snackbox)