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Table of Contents

Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

What's The Big Fat Idea?

Potato chips are going on a diet! These munchies are fried in a new substance called olestra. Olestra tastes like oil but can't be digested, so it won't make people fat or clog arteries. Last week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said food companies could sell foods made with olestra.

Not everyone thinks this is a healthy idea. Research shows that olestra can cause stomach pain and diarrhea. It can rob the body of vitamins. Michael Jacobson, a health specialist, warns, "It's crazy to add a substance to food that makes people sick."

But folks who want to lose weight may like olestra-fried foods. A label will warn buyers about the health risks.

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