Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Healthy Cooking Tips - Which Oil To Use

By Erin Song


How we cook is important, just like the food that we eat when it comes to health. For decades, the debate on oil, how much to use, how to use it, as well as if it's for us or bad has raged us. With each new study, new so-called facts to the fore is brought. What we do know is that fat is what we need in our diet. If we choose the right oil for cooking, then we can make any meal healthier.

Canola Oil

It was said that the heart of heart disease can be lowered by using canola oil. It is low in saturated fat, high in monounsaturated fat, as well as offering the best fatty acid composition compared to other oils.

Canola oil can be used as an ingredient in marinades, for low temperature stir frying, and to saut food. Because canola oil does not interfere with the taste due to the little flavor it has, it is good for spicy food.

Benefits of Olive Oil

Olive oil has a distinct flavor and healthy attributes which is why it's a firm favorite around the world. Olive oil helps to lower cholesterol levels because it is rich in monounsaturated fats and it also reduces the risk of cancer due to the level of antioxidants.

Although you can use olive oil in cooking, it is popular and healthiest when uncooked and used in sauces and salad dressing.

Using Butter

Made from natural ingredients, butter has been used for centuries and it also has a distinct taste. Aside from Vitamin A, butter is also a source of other fat-soluble vitamins such as E and K.

Most of the time, butter is also used to make bread, baking, marinades, and sauces. One of the ingredients that has made butter so unhealthy for us is salt so it's better to avoid butter that has added salt.

Margarine

First introduced as a low fat alternative to butter, margarine used to contain high amounts of trans fat which raises bad cholesterol. The margarine on our store shelves today is synthetically produced to contain healthy fats.

Margarine can be a tasty oil to cook with although there are times it's difficult to cook with.

There are many more oils that can be used in cooking and baking. When choosing the right oil, the type of cooking you're doing and the quantity you use will dictate which one is right for you. Make sure to use oil sparingly since healthy food that's cooked in too much oil will result in an unhealthy diet. Different oils can be used for different purposes to ensure that your diet is a good one that adds to your health.




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