Healthy
Cooking Oil
Healthy cooking oil does exist however not all fats are created equal. There are good and bad fats and believe it or not ugly. Over the recent years, the theory on dietary fat has changed. There was a time when all fat were considered unhealthy and the root cause for all diseases ranging from diabetes to cardiovascular disease. Today, thanks to years of research we now know better, that some fats are better than others.
Yes, there are actually good fats, the fats that we need. These fats are known as the unsaturated fats and believe it or not, the good fats actually help fight disease. There are two types of unsaturated fats, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, both types have a beneficial impact on our cholesterol levels. And the best place to find these good fats are in healthy cooking oil.
The monounsaturated fats help to boost HDL (the good) cholesterol while lowering the bad cholesterol, the LDL.
Polyunsaturated fat also help in the battle to lower cholesterol. They are also great sources for Omega-3 fatty acids, including the essential fatty acid that our body doesn’t produce. We can only get the essential fatty acid from the food we consume such as dark leafy greens, flaxseed oil and some vegetable oils, seeds and nuts and cold water fish. Omega-3’s help to fight inflammation protect the brain and the nervous system, lower blood pressure and fight LDL.
The artery clogging fats, the bad fats are what are known as the saturated fats. Foods high in saturated fat come from dairy products and meats and are solid at room temperature. The bad fats are considered bad because they not only clog arteries, they are directly responsible for raising the LDL. It is important to avoid these fats as much as possible.
There are those that say there are a few saturated fats that could be good for you such as palm oil and coconut oil because of the way they are metabolized in the body. This leaves the question of whether plant based saturated fats are beneficial. There isn’t a definitive answer yet, the research continues.
The Ugly
When you thought there were only good and bad fats, here come even worse fats. The worst fat there is are the Trans
fats. Trans fats are also known as the hydrogenated fats. These fats are created when liquid vegetable oils are converted into solid fats. This process is known as hydrogenation. They are more detrimental to your health then saturated fats because they not only increase LDL they also lower the HDL. These fats are not a source of healthy cooking oil at all.
Trans fats are found in processed foods. These fats were once hidden in our foods. Today, thanks to the laws passed in January 2006 trans fats now have to be listed on all packaged food labels.
What Kind of Fat Should We Eat?
Our body needs dietary fat; it’s a source of energy for the body. And there is no better means than healthy cooking oil. Dietary fat helps the cells and the nervous syst
em function properly and it is needed so that we can absorb certainvitamins. Yes, it also helps with our hair and our skin and insulates our body to protect us from harsh weather.
So when you analyze your diet remember to include healthy cooking oil and the good fats; stay clear of the bad fats and the terribly ugly. Our bodies do need fat however not a lot. In truth your dietary intake should not be more then 30% fat and not lower then 20%. Use liquid oils instead of solid fats when baking or cooking. Opt for low fat dairy products and only lean cuts of meat. Make sure you are eating fish twice a week and do all you can to avoid fast food and processed foods.
