Oreo Cookie Filling: Death by Cookie
By: Keith
Unlike other fats, trans fats are not essential to our bodies functioning; they don’t serve any purpose. They raise bad cholesterol, LDL (the artery clogging kind) and lower good cholesterol, HDL (the kind that makes your brain and organs work). Everybody knows that trans fats have become a big issue recently. While not as big an issue as smoking, trans fats have become the latest target of health advocates. MacDonald’s has totally done away with trans fats as have some others like Wendy’s (they were the first).
Most people didn’t know much about trans-fats until 2003. There had been research going on and even a few small consumer sparked lawsuits. But, the case that really got the ball rolling on the anti trans-fat bandwagon was the Oreo Cookie case. Back in 2003 there was a lawsuit in California (filed by Stephen Joseph) that attempted to get Oreo Cookies banned because the insides of the cookies are basically nothing more than sugary Crisco (that’s right, no butter, milk or vanilla), from which the plaintiff thought we all needed saving (specifically the kids). Banning cookies isn’t a good PR move though, and he dropped the case. But, he was right about the trans fats and in identifying that companies need to take greater responsibility when selling foods to parents who don’t know what a monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat is. That lawsuit sparked a trans fat public awakening and, while failing in its goal to outlaw Oreos, succeeded in educating the public and getting companies to better label their packaging. I’d call that a win.
For Oreo’s Part:
They eventually got rid of their trans fats thanks, in large part, to Joseph’s lawsuit. Isn’t that nice? But don’t start thinking Oreos are all healthy or anything. The Ingredients are as follow:
Ingredients: SUGAR, ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE {VITAMIN B1}, RIBOFLAVIN {VITAMIN B2}, FOLIC ACID), HIGH OLEIC CANOLA OIL AND/OR PALM OIL AND/OR CANOLA OIL, AND/OR SOYBEAN OIL, COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CORNSTARCH, LEAVENING (BAKING SODA AND/OR CALCIUM PHOSPHATE), SALT, SOY LECITHIN (EMULSIFIER), VANILLIN – AN ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CHOCOLATE. CONTAINS: WHEAT, SOY.
Did you notice there still isn’t any real milk, sugar or vanilla? And, it’s still basically Crisco?
An Alternative:
My solution to the Oreo Cookie issue is to just not eat many cookies. But, some people have to have cookies. I suggest, if that’s the case, that people consider a healthier (albeit still a far cry from broccoli) alternative. Here’s is a cookie filling recipe that is simple and beats the pants off of Oreo stuffing:
3 ½ c. powdered sugar
½ Tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
½ c. shortening
3 Tbsp. hot water
Mix together 1 cup powdered sugar and the shortening. When it gets creamy, beat in the granulated sugar and the vanilla. Add another cup of powdered sugar and the 3 Tbsp of hot water. When it begins looking like frosting add in the rest of the powdered sugar. That will stiffen it up and make a nice filling. Then just mash it between two cookies, and presto!
Over 450 billion Oreo cookies have been consumed since 1912. That’s a lot of cookies. Lots of them have been eaten, but Oreo cookies are not to blame for our health problems. They just happened to be the subject of a lawsuit that got us all thinking. I say it’s really the fast food restaurants and our careless eating habits that are to blame. A few cookies here and there aren’t going to hurt anybody. Besides if you are eating enough cookies to make it a problem then you probably need a fitness and nutrition plan more than you need to be saved from trans-fats. Yes, trans fats are bad. But, if you eat like a fool then you probably had it coming anyway. Oreo did a good thing by getting rid of the trans fats. While the cookies have never been healthy, at least the company can say that much. I like Oreo Cookies. I just don’t eat them every day. Enough said about that.
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I’m the only freak in my house who even likes Oreo’s. And it’s the filling that’ I like best!!
Guess my kids have smarter taste buds, they won’t touch them.
Really, Angie? The kids don’t like Oreos? Mine love them, but I severely limit their intake. The Nabisco people aren’t dumb. They know the filling is the yummiest part — like crack!
Homemade is always better. My mom used to make a big batch of buttercream frosting whenever she was baking a cake. Instead of buying us oreos she used to take graham crackers and spread a little of the extra frosting between two and make her own version. Real butter, real sugar and real vanilla. Still only an occasional treat, but so much better than what Oreos used to be/still are.
.-= PJ Mullen´s last blog ..Little man scores VIP access =-.
PJ, you must come from a culinary family. That sound delicious. I’ve never actually made cookies for my kids. I refuse to buy the cookie dough and I’m too lazy to make them from scratch
cookies are seriously one of the easiest things to make Keith.. are you kidding me you NEVER make cookies? Does Mely? Do your boys even GET christmas cookies?? Think of the children!!
Butter cream frosting.. for gods sake, it’s easier than scrambled eggs!! You don’t even technically need measuring cups.. since I know you’re challenged in that department! You could be a hero for no effort at all! (I mean apart from all those other times you’re a hero.. like every day and all.) 
Great article though.. I knew there was a reason I stayed away from oreos! I’m trying PJ’s suggestion the very next time we make frosting!! I’ve alway just gone the frosting + spoon method.
I know, Tammy. I’m pathetic. This year I am definitely doing christmas cookies! I never us measuring cups, that’s true. It’s more exciting that way
Extremely sorry PJ but many brands of Graham crackers have trans fat in them
Sounds yummy though and a good idea (just read the ingredients list you want nothing hydrogenated)
I love Oreo’s but never eat them plus my husband hates them, his sister ate a box while they were at the fair. She leaned over to “get rid of them” and he thought she was falling out and grabbed her and was covered and his mom didn’t even take them home so he smelt like it all day. ewww
You can get healthy brands of Oreo cookies (not that they are healthy)
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Hi, Native momma! Thanks for visiting and commenting. I have seen some Graham crackers without the trans fat. Although I can’t recall which brands have it and which do not. Hmmm, I guess I need to buy some graham crackers to find out
Another informative article. I don’t eat a lot of oreos, but when I do, I enjoy them. Perhaps “moderation” might not be a bad thing?
And I admit – my “mini pecan pies” are anything but “healthy” – they also aren’t consumed in high volume, or year round. (Just sayin… )
.-= BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..Statements of Self, Drunken Drafts, and Other Threads =-.
Wolf, moderation is definitely something many of us are lacking. I guess we all have our little weaknesses. You have mini pecan pies. I have Buffalo wings!
I used to love Oreo’s, but are wary of the ingredient list. I have since switched to organic Newman O’s, which are every bit as delicious but without the nasty ingredients. They cost about a buck more than oreos but hey, how much is your health worth when you are indulging? I can afford a buck.
Hey I came across this during my research. I thought it was interesting, for sure. Just a note about the home-made cookie filling — shortening (unless its lard — yuck!) is trans fat. Maybe try butter or coconut oil — sure they are saturated but they are stable, and full of nutrients. Just a thought.